Mishra AA, et al. - Researchers examined how sub-groups with different multi-type childhood maltreatment exposures are associated with depressive symptoms in late adulthood. In addition, they determined how these associations are influenced by dysregulated physiological stress system function and perceived stress in midlife. Data from the Biomarker project (n = 1,053) of the Midlife Development in the United States study yielded two vulnerable sub-groups (Class 2: Emotional and physical maltreatment class, n = 52, and Class 3: Sexual abuse class, n = 79). They also identified a normative sub-group (Class 1: Normative class, n = 922) comprising of a majority of adults. They noted higher levels of perceived stress in both vulnerable sub-groups in late adulthood. The association between both vulnerable sub-groups and depressive symptoms seemed to be mediated by perceived stress. Only the association between the emotional and physical maltreatment class and depressive symptoms in late adulthood was mediated by physiological stress dysregulation. These findings support therapeutic approaches targeted at prevention of perceived stress for both of these vulnerable sub-groups for depressive symptom recovery. For the emotional and physical maltreatment class, they support targeting physiological dysregulation in addition.