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Familiar and novel contexts yield different associations between cortisol and behavior among 2-year-old children

M de Haan1, M R Gunnar, K Tout

  • 1Cognitive Development Unit Medical Research Council, London, UK.

Developmental Psychobiology
|July 17, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Cortisol levels in 2-year-olds did not rise upon starting preschool. Behavior correlated with cortisol differently in familiar versus new settings, with shy behavior not linked to cortisol increases in new situations.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Endocrinology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • The transition to preschool is a significant psychosocial stressor for young children.
  • Understanding the physiological stress response (HPA axis activity) during this transition is crucial for child development.
  • Previous research suggests shy/anxious behavior may not elevate cortisol in novel social contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine salivary cortisol levels in 2-year-olds during the transition into preschool.
  • To investigate the relationship between cortisol levels and child behavior in different psychosocial contexts (home vs. school).
  • To determine if shy/anxious behavior is associated with cortisol elevations in new social situations.

Main Methods:

  • Salivary cortisol samples were collected from 24 two-year-old children at home and at multiple points during preschool entry (Week 1, Weeks 6-9, post-holiday).
  • Behavior was assessed using parent and teacher temperament reports, alongside observational measures.
  • Cortisol levels were analyzed in relation to behavioral data across different contexts.

Main Results:

  • Cortisol levels did not significantly increase upon initial preschool entry compared to home or later school levels.
  • Cortisol levels showed correlations within similar psychosocial contexts but not across dissimilar ones.
  • Home cortisol levels correlated with shy/anxious, internalizing behaviors, while the response to starting school correlated with assertive, angry, aggressive behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, measured by salivary cortisol, is differentially associated with behavior in familiar versus novel environments.
  • Shy/anxious behavior in young children is not significantly linked to cortisol elevations when entering new social situations.
  • Context-dependent physiological and behavioral responses highlight the complexity of early childhood adaptation.

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