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Mitigating HPA axis dysregulation associated with placement changes in foster care
Philip A Fisher1, Mark J Van Ryzin, Megan R Gunnar
1Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. philf@oslc.org
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|October 5, 2010
Summary
Placement changes disrupt cortisol rhythms in foster children, but a caregiver intervention prevents this stress response. This highlights the importance of consistent support for maltreated children in foster care.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Child Welfare Research
Background:
- Maltreated foster children often show altered diurnal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, with blunted cortisol rhythms.
- This dysregulation is linked to high caregiver stress and can be mitigated by interventions promoting consistent caregiving.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if placement changes exacerbate HPA axis dysregulation in foster children.
- To determine if a caregiver-based intervention protects against HPA axis dysregulation during placement changes.
Main Methods:
- Linear mixed modeling analyses were used to examine cortisol rhythms.
- The study compared children in regular foster care with those in an intervention foster care group.
Main Results:
- Placement changes were associated with cortisol rhythm dysregulation in the regular foster care group.
- Children in the intervention foster care group did not show this dysregulation, indicating a protective effect.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver-based interventions can prevent HPA axis dysregulation associated with placement changes in foster children.
- Findings support the need for supportive policies and practices in child welfare to buffer stress during transitions for maltreated children.
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