Pediatric Cancer Survivorship: Impact Upon Hair Cortisol Concentration and Family Functioning

A clearer understanding of the association between a biomarker of long-term stress reactivity and family functioning among pediatric cancer survivors may guide both survivorship research and clinical practice. The current study examined the relationship between a long-term measure of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity (cortisol concentration; CORT_HAIR) and parent-reported family functioning (Family Environment Scale; FES) in a cross-sectional sample of survivors (n = 26) and controls (n = 53). Child CORT_HAIR was not different in survivors and controls, though treatment severity was significantly related to child survivor CORT_HAIR. Child CORT_HAIR and parent CORT_HAIR were positively correlated. Cancer survivor parents reported greater FES Organization. Child CORT_HAIR was inversely associated with FES Independence, while parent CORT_HAIR was inversely correlated with FES Organization. Parent CORT_HAIR and FES Independence were significant and unique predictors of child CORT_HAIR. Our results provide preliminary evidence for a relationship between a stress biomarker, child CORT_HAIR, and family functioning among pediatric cancer survivors and controls.