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Effects of early adversity on young children's diurnal cortisol rhythms and externalizing behavior

Kristin Bernard1, Jordana Zwerling1, Mary Dozier2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.

Developmental Psychobiology
|August 21, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Early adversity, like child protective services (CPS) involvement, is linked to blunted cortisol patterns. This biological dysregulation indirectly increases externalizing behaviors in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Developmental psychopathology

Background:

  • Early adversity, including poverty and child protective services (CPS) involvement, is a significant risk factor for developmental dysregulation.
  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, particularly cortisol patterns, is a key biological system implicated in stress response and psychopathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the indirect effect of early adversity (CPS involvement and poverty) on externalizing behavior.
  • To examine the mediating role of HPA axis dysregulation, specifically blunted diurnal cortisol patterns, in this relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 94 children (ages 3.94-6.52) with and without a history of CPS involvement.
  • Collection of salivary cortisol samples (wake-up and bedtime) over 3 days.
  • Assessment of parent-reported externalizing behavior using the Child Behavior Checklist.

Main Results:

  • Both CPS involvement and poverty were associated with blunted diurnal cortisol patterns.
  • Blunted cortisol patterns significantly mediated the relationship between CPS involvement and elevated externalizing behavior.
  • The indirect effect of poverty on externalizing behavior through cortisol patterns was not significant.

Conclusions:

  • Child protective services involvement, through its association with blunted cortisol patterns, represents a neurobiological pathway to externalizing behaviors.
  • Findings enhance understanding of the mechanisms linking early life stress to childhood psychopathology.
  • Targeting HPA axis regulation may be a potential avenue for intervention in children exposed to early adversity.

Keywords:
cortisolexternalizing behaviormaltreatmentstress

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