Hair cortisol, lifetime traumatic experiences and psychopathology in unaccompanied refugee minors

Attenuated cortisol secretion has been linked to traumatic experiences and the developmental psychopathology. Unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) form a highly vulnerable group in this context, usually exposed to multiple and severe traumatic experiences and characterized by a high, comorbid symptom-load. Here, we provide a first investigation in URM seeking to elucidate associations between long-term cortisol output, assessed through hair cortisol concentrations (HCC), lifetime traumatic events and psychological symptoms. Ninety-one male URM from Syria and Afghanistan (mean age = 17.4 years), living in group homes of the Child Protection Services in Leipzig, Germany, were examined. HCC were measured from scalp-near 3 cm hair segments and data on LTE, PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms as well as emotional and conduct problems assessed. Results revealed HCC to be negatively related to lifetime traumatic events (total number, trauma types). In addition, a tentative finding of a positive association between HCC and emotional problems emerged. Results are discussed with regard to their relevance for HCC as a biomarker of the long-term endocrine consequences of chronic adversity and trauma exposure.