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Salivary cortisol reactivity in preschoolers is associated with hair cortisol and behavioral problems

Katie Kao1, Stacey N Doan2, Ashley M St John1

  • 1a Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , Boston University , Boston , MA , USA.

Stress (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|October 26, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children's acute cortisol reactivity to stress is linked to higher cumulative cortisol exposure and increased externalizing behaviors. This suggests cortisol reactivity may impact long-term health and development.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The relationship between acute cortisol responses and long-term cortisol exposure in children is unclear.
  • Understanding cortisol reactivity in early childhood is crucial for identifying mechanisms of chronic stress and behavioral issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between salivary cortisol reactivity to challenges and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in preschool children.
  • To examine how these stress biomarkers relate to internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed salivary cortisol reactivity in response to challenging tasks in 65 preschool-aged children.
  • Measured hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as a biomarker for cumulative cortisol exposure.
  • Correlated stress biomarkers with parent-reported internalizing and externalizing problems.

Main Results:

  • Salivary cortisol reactivity was positively associated with higher HCC.
  • Increased salivary cortisol reactivity correlated with more externalizing behaviors.
  • Child HCC was positively correlated with parent HCC.

Conclusions:

  • Salivary cortisol reactivity contributes to cumulative cortisol exposure in children, potentially increasing biological risk for future health problems.
  • The link between externalizing behaviors and salivary cortisol reactivity suggests a concordance between behavioral and physiological stress responses.
  • Early childhood cortisol reactivity plays a role in cumulative cortisol exposure and behavioral development, influencing long-term physical and mental health outcomes.

Keywords:
Salivary cortisol reactivityexternalizing problemshair cortisolhypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axispreschoolstress

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