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Low salivary cortisol levels and externalizing behavior problems in youth
Elizabeth A Shirtcliff1, Douglas A Granger, Alan Booth
1University of Wisconsin, USA.
Development and Psychopathology
|June 24, 2005
Summary
Cortisol levels in youth show significant stable (traitlike) and temporary (statelike) variations. For boys, higher externalizing behaviors correlate with lower stable cortisol, a stable link across development.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Endocrinology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Inconsistent findings link youth cortisol and behavior problems.
- High moment-to-moment cortisol variation necessitates advanced analytical methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate stable (traitlike) and temporary (statelike) cortisol variance.
- To examine the relationship between cortisol variance and behavior problems in youth.
Main Methods:
- Latent state-trait modeling applied to early morning saliva samples from 724 youths over two days, one year apart.
- Behavioral assessments conducted over three years.
Main Results:
- Cortisol variance was predominantly statelike (70%) versus traitlike (28%).
- In boys, higher externalizing behaviors consistently correlated with lower traitlike cortisol.
- This inverse association was observed across normative and atypical development.
Conclusions:
- The link between lower traitlike cortisol and externalizing behaviors in boys is a stable phenomenon.
- Further research is needed to understand the biosocial mechanisms and implications for risk or resilience.