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Externalizing behavior and stress system functioning in infants exposed to early adversity: A multi-system
Allison Frost1, Melanie Rodriguez2, Steven Imrisek2
1Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Developmental Psychobiology
|January 10, 2021
Summary
Early stress alters children's stress response systems. Low morning cortisol combined with high morning alpha-amylase predicted fewer externalizing behaviors in infants, highlighting the importance of examining multiple physiological markers.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Early life adversity impacts stress response systems like the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS).
- Altered diurnal rhythms of salivary cortisol (HPA marker) and alpha-amylase (ANS marker) are linked to increased behavior problems.
- Understanding these physiological changes is crucial for identifying infants at risk for behavioral issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between diurnal cortisol and alpha-amylase patterns.
- To determine if these physiological markers predict externalizing behavior in infants exposed to early stress.
Main Methods:
- 179 infants (6-20 months) and parents from low-income backgrounds participated.
- Parents reported infant externalizing behaviors and collected saliva samples over three days (wake-up and bedtime).
- Latent difference scores modeled diurnal cortisol and alpha-amylase; four models tested interactions on behavior.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction was found between morning cortisol and alpha-amylase levels.
- Low morning cortisol was associated with reduced externalizing behavior only when morning alpha-amylase was high.
- This interaction effect suggests a complex interplay between HPA axis and ANS functioning.
Conclusions:
- Examining multiple physiological systems, not just one, is essential for understanding infant behavior.
- The interplay between cortisol and alpha-amylase offers insights into the physiological underpinnings of externalizing behaviors in at-risk infants.
- These findings contribute to a more nuanced view of stress physiology and behavioral outcomes in early development.
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