Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
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Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
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Adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems predict their affect-specific HPA and HPG axes reactivity.
Georges Han1, Jonas G Miller1, Pamela M Cole2
1Department of Psychology, Center for Mind and Brain, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA.
Developmental Psychobiology
|January 22, 2015
Summary
Early adolescent externalizing problems predict lower DHEA reactivity to anxiety. Internalizing problems may predict heightened DHEA reactivity, with hormone system coupling varying by affective context and psychopathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychiatry
Background:
- The transition into adolescence involves complex psychopathology-neuroendocrine interactions.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes are crucial for regulating responses to affective contexts.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for a developmental framework of adolescent well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine associations between psychopathology and neuroendocrine function during early adolescence.
- To investigate the interdependence of the HPA and HPG axes in response to affective challenges.
- To determine how early-life psychopathology predicts adolescent neuroendocrine reactivity.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples were collected from 51 young adolescents during anxiety and anger inductions.
- Cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and testosterone levels were measured.
- Internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed in elementary school and early adolescence.
Main Results:
- Externalizing problems in elementary school predicted reduced adolescent DHEA reactivity during anxiety induction.
- A trend suggested heightened DHEA reactivity during anxiety induction for adolescents with early internalizing problems.
- DHEA and testosterone were positively coupled during both anxiety and anger inductions.
- Adolescents with high externalizing and low internalizing problems showed positive cortisol-testosterone coupling during anger induction.
Conclusions:
- Affective context influences whether dual hormone axis coupling reflects normative or problematic functioning.
- Early psychopathology profiles may shape adolescent neuroendocrine responses to stress.
- This study provides novel insights into the developmental interplay of hormones and behavior in adolescence.
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