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Cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase and children's perceptions of their social networks

Davide Ponzi1, Michael P Muehlenbein2, David C Geary3

  • 1a Division of Biological Sciences , University of Missouri , Columbia , MS 65201 , USA.

Social Neuroscience
|April 29, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Children with denser friendships show lower stress biomarkers, including cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase. This suggests social network density may buffer stress responses in youth.

Area of Science:

  • Biobehavioral research
  • Developmental psychology
  • Social neuroscience

Background:

  • Social relationships significantly influence human behavior and health.
  • Limited understanding exists on how children's perception of social networks relates to biological stress markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between children's perceived social network size and density with cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase.
  • To explore the link between social perception and physiological stress responses in children.

Main Methods:

  • Social network analysis was applied to data from 40 children (ages 5-12).
  • Perceived network size and density were assessed via interviews.
  • Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were measured before and after an interview.

Main Results:

  • Children reporting higher friendship density exhibited lower pre-interview cortisol levels.
  • Lower salivary alpha-amylase reactivity to the interview was associated with greater perceived friendship density.
  • No significant association was found between perceived network size and the stress biomarkers.

Conclusions:

  • Perceived social network density, not size, is linked to biological stress markers in children.
  • Findings support a multisystem approach to understanding children's behavioral and biological outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the cognitive and biological mechanisms linking social perception and stress.

Keywords:
CortisolPerceptual biasesPersonal social networksPsychosocial stressSalivary alpha-amylase

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