Chryssanthopoulou, C. C.

Jessop, D.

Turner-Cobb, J. M.

English

OPUS

Title/Authors: Influence of Multiple Social Roles & Individual Differences on Diurnal Cortisol in Preschool Children: Implications for Health Turner-Cobb, J.M.,  Chryssanthopoulou, C.C., & Jessop, D.Purpose:  An emerging area of research concerns the physical health implications of early childhood experiences. The aim of the study was to investigate psychosocial influences on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity within this developmental framework  Methods: Self report questionnaire and salivary cortisol data were collected at baseline (T1) and at six month follow-up (T2) in 67 mother-child dyads with pre-school age children (32 boys and 35 girls). Mean levels of cortisol were assessed at awakening and at 5-6pm across two consecutive days at both time points and mean diurnal change in cortisol calculated. Questionnaire data provided by mothers’ of child participants included child temperament, family relations, maternal well-being (physical health status, job role quality and level of burnout) and hours spent in daycare per week. Results/Findings: Moderating relationships were found between hours in day care and maternal well-being and child temperament on cortisol levels but not on diurnal change in cortisol. Child temperament (inhibitory control and shyness) predicted T2 diurnal cortisol decline and T1 maternal physical health predicted T2 cortisol levels. Additional analyses assessing cortisol response to school transition were conducted.Conclusions: These results provide support for the moderating role of maternal well-being and child temperament in protecting against stress reactivity in children. Health implications of these findings will be discussed in relation to the developing neuroendocrine system. 

The influence of multiple social roles and individual differences on diurnal cortisol in pre-school children

https://purehost.bath.ac.uk/ws/files/62429930/BING_meeting_2002_abstract_JT_C.doc

The influence of multiple social roles and individual differences on diurnal cortisol in pre-school children

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

OPUS