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Early environment affects neuroendocrine regulation in adulthood
Shelley E Taylor1, Arun S Karlamangla, Esther M Friedman
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA. taylors@psych.ucla.edu
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
|April 20, 2010
Summary
Childhood parental affection impacts adult stress response. Both very high and very low affection levels correlate with flatter diurnal cortisol rhythms, indicating potential hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Lifespan Psychology
- Stress and Health
Background:
- Early life experiences significantly influence long-term health.
- The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis regulates the body's stress response.
- Parental relationships are a key component of the early environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood parental affection and adult diurnal cortisol rhythms.
- To explore potential dysregulation of the HPA axis based on early family environment extremes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Study of Midlife Development in the United States and its National Study of Daily Experience substudy.
- Analyzed adult self-reports of parental affection during childhood.
- Examined adult diurnal cortisol rhythms.
Main Results:
- Identified curvilinear associations between parental affection and diurnal cortisol patterns.
- Both very high and very low childhood parental affection were linked to flatter diurnal cortisol rhythms.
- Individuals reporting the least parental affection showed more HPA axis dysregulation signs.
Conclusions:
- Extreme levels of childhood parental affection (both high and low) may lead to HPA axis dysregulation in adulthood.
- These findings contribute to understanding the long-term impact of early environments on stress regulation.
- The theory of allostatic load provides a framework for interpreting these results.
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