Positive parenting predicts cortisol functioning six years later in young adults

Area of Science:

• Psychoneuroendocrinology
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Neuroscience

Background:

• Adverse experiences impact hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning.
• The influence of positive social factors on HPA axis functioning remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if positive social forces in the caregiving environment impact cortisol functioning.
• To examine prospective associations between early social environment and later HPA axis activity.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of over 300 youth (50% White, 50% Black).
• Measured attachment, bonding, and parental rewards in 8th grade.
• Assessed salivary cortisol via 12 repeated measures in young adulthood (mean age 20).

Main Results:

• Stronger attachment, bonding, and positive parenting predicted higher waking cortisol and steeper diurnal slopes.
• Effects were nonlinear and additive across caregiving indices.
• Race moderated findings: positive parenting links to HPA functioning were more consistent for White than Black youth.

Conclusions:

• Positive aspects of the caregiving environment significantly impact HPA axis functioning ('get under the skin').
• Effects are additive across multiple caregiving indices.
• Findings support the Adaptive Calibration Model, suggesting adaptive significance of cortisol regulation influenced by social support.