Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

Intervention effects on foster parent stress: associations with child cortisol levels

Philip A Fisher1, Mike Stoolmiller

  • 1Oregon Social Learning Center, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. philf@oslc.org

Development and Psychopathology
|July 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Therapeutic interventions reduce caregiver stress in foster families, positively impacting children's hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. This study shows interventions can buffer children from the effects of caregiver stress.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Welfare

Background:

  • Foster children often show atypical neuroendocrine functioning, particularly blunted diurnal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity.
  • Caregiver stress is a significant factor influencing HPA axis regulation in foster children.
  • Specific intervention components affecting HPA axis activity in foster children require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between diurnal cortisol activity and caregiver-reported stress in response to child problem behaviors within a randomized trial.
  • To evaluate the impact of a therapeutic intervention on caregiver stress and its relationship with HPA axis activity in foster preschoolers.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized trial involving foster preschoolers (intervention, comparison, and community comparison groups).
  • Measurement of caregiver-reported stress and salivary cortisol levels (diurnal activity).
  • Assessment of stress sensitivity to child problem behaviors over 12 months postbaseline.

Main Results:

  • The therapeutic intervention led to immediate and sustained reductions in caregiver stress.
  • Caregivers in the regular foster care condition reported higher stress and increased sensitivity to child problem behaviors.
  • In regular foster care, higher caregiver stress correlated with lower morning cortisol and blunted diurnal cortisol activity in children.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic interventions can effectively reduce caregiver stress in foster families.
  • Interventions can mitigate the negative effects of caregiver stress on children's HPA axis regulation.
  • Addressing caregiver stress is crucial for improving neuroendocrine outcomes in foster children.

More Related Videos

The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress09:39

The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress

Published on: October 19, 2011

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Components of Stress01:23

Components of Stress

Stress analysis under multiple loading conditions is intricate, necessitating a comprehensive grasp of normal and shearing stresses. Consider a small cube at point O, subjected to stress on all six faces, visible or not. Normal stress components σx, σy, σz act perpendicularly to the x, y, and z axes. Shearing stress components τxy and τxz are exerted on faces perpendicular to these axes.
Interestingly, the hidden cube faces also experience these stresses, equal and opposite to those on the...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...