Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
08:25

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

Salivary cortisol and psychopathology in children bereaved by the september 11, 2001 terror attacks

Cynthia R Pfeffer1, Margaret Altemus, Moonseong Heo

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, 10605 USA. cpfeffer@med.cornell.edu

Biological Psychiatry
|December 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children who lost a parent experienced lasting mental health issues and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction. This stress impacted their cortisol levels and anxiety disorder development.

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Trauma studies

Background:

  • Severe psychosocial stress, such as parental death, is linked to increased risk of childhood anxiety, depression, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation.
  • Prospective longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding the long-term impact of such stressors on children's mental health and physiological responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relationships among severe psychosocial stress (parental death), psychiatric morbidity, and HPA axis function in children.
  • To assess the persistence of psychological dysfunction and HPA axis alterations in children following the loss of a parent.

Main Methods:

  • A 2-year prospective longitudinal study involving 45 bereaved children and 34 nonbereaved controls.
  • Psychiatric assessments using the Child Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) for psychopathology.
  • HPA axis function evaluation through 3 days of salivary cortisol measurements and a dexamethasone suppression test.

Main Results:

  • Bereaved children showed significantly increased rates of anxiety disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), post-bereavement compared to pre-bereavement.
  • Significantly higher and persistent morning and 4:00 pm baseline cortisol levels were observed in bereaved children.
  • Children with PTSD exhibited lower 4:00 pm cortisol and greater suppression, while those with generalized anxiety disorder showed less morning cortisol suppression.

Conclusions:

  • Sudden, unexpected parental death in children leads to persistent psychological dysfunction.
  • Children bereaved by parental death exhibit long-term dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting11:31

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting

Published on: November 30, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder01:27

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
Flashbulb Memory01:16

Flashbulb Memory

A flashbulb memory is a highly vivid and detailed memory, often linked to events of significant emotional impact. These memories stand out in contrast to everyday memories due to their clarity and the precision with which they are recalled. The strong emotions associated with the event act as a catalyst, ensuring that specific details, such as one's location, actions, and even peripheral elements, are etched into memory with remarkable accuracy. For example, many people can vividly recall where...
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology01:19

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...
Bullying02:04

Bullying

A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.