Cortisol Patterns Research Articles

Assessment of circadian patterns in salivary cortisol and chromogranin A levels in intensive care unit nurses during working and non-working days

Assessment of circadian patterns in salivary cortisol and chromogranin A levels in intensive care unit nurses during working and non-working days

Supplemental Material for Social Support at Work Carries Weight: Relations Between Social Support, Employees’ Diurnal Cortisol Patterns, and Body Mass Index

Supplemental Material for Social Support at Work Carries Weight: Relations Between Social Support, Employees’ Diurnal Cortisol Patterns, and Body Mass Index

Effects of Self-compassion on Diurnal Cortisol Pattern via Positive Affect in Colorectal Cancer Survivors

ObjectivesColorectal cancer survivors are at risks of emotional distress and dysregulated diurnal cortisol rhythms. Dispositional self-compassion has been linked with better psychological adjustment and greater positive affect. This study evaluated the associations between self-compassion and the diurnal cortisol pattern, and the role of positive affect and emotional distress in mediating this association, in cancer patients.MethodsThis longitudinal study recruited 127 Chinese colorectal cancer survivors, who completed assessments for self-compassion, positive affect, emotional distress, and naturalistic salivary cortisol at baseline. The participants completed follow-up assessments for affect and emotional distress after 2 months (time 2) and the diurnal cortisol pattern after 8 months (time 3). Bootstrapped mediation analysis analyzed the direct and indirect effects of self-compassion on the diurnal cortisol pattern via positive affect and emotional distress.ResultsA structural equation model with latent factors of self-compassion, self-criticism, and emotional distress provided an adequate fit to the data. The direct effects of self-compassion and self-criticism on the diurnal cortisol pattern were not significant (p = 0.11–0.50). Positive affect, but not emotional distress, at time 2 significantly predicted steeper diurnal cortisol slopes at time 3 (β = − 0.22, SE = 0.08, p < 0.01). Self-compassion and self-criticism showed significant negative and positive indirect effects on time 3 diurnal cortisol slopes via time 2 positive affect, respectively.ConclusionsOur findings support indirect linkages between self-compassion and steeper diurnal cortisol slopes via positive affect. Positive affect may mediate temporal relationships between self-compassion and neuroendocrine functioning in colorectal cancer survivors.

Salivary Cortisol Patterns in People Living With Dementia

Salivary cortisol has a well-documented circadian pattern in older adults. Yet, the pattern of salivary cortisol in persons living with dementia (PLWD) due to circadian rhythm disturbances is unknown. This study examined diurnal salivary cortisol patterns in 176 PLWD (mean age 73.6±8.8, 33.3% male, clinical dementia rating >=0.5) by collecting saliva at waking (AM1), 30 minutes after waking (AM2) and bedtime (PM) over two consecutive days. Cortisol awakening response (CAR) was calculated as the change between AM2 and AM1 cortisol levels. The mean baseline salivary cortisol levels (ug/dl) were 0.35 (SD:0.3) at AM1, 0.40 (SD:0.39) at AM2, and 0.19 (SD:0.4) at PM. On average, cortisol levels decreased from morning to evening, with 58% exhibiting a positive CAR (mean 0.05; SD:0.34). There were no significant associations between cortisol levels with age, sex, obesity, and comorbidities. The findings demonstrated that diurnal cortisol rhythms are maintained in PLWD with a flattened CAR.

Chronobiological Factors Related to Sleep and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Persons Living With Dementia

Circadian rhythm disturbances (CRD) are commonly seen in people living with dementia. A clear understanding of the role of CRD in dementia etiology will be beneficial by exploring the exogenous factors (externally influence the duration of sleep hours, such as light/dark cycles) and endogenous factors (internal biological rhythm, such as diurnal cortisol pattern). This symposium will apply a chronobiological approach to study exogenous and endogenous factors that influence circadian rhythm and their effects on sleep and neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons living with dementia (PLWD). Four paper presentations will use secondary data analysis of data from the Healthy Patterns Clinical Trial (NCT03682185), a randomized controlled trial of a home-based activity intervention designed to improve circadian rhythm disorders in PLWD. We will first describe the circadian rhythm pattern reflected by endogenous factors (salivary cortisol), then examine salivary cortisol (endogenous) and white light intensity (exogenous) and on subjective sleep and neuropsychiatric symptoms (including depression) in PLWD, respectively. In session 1, we will present cortisol diurnal rhythm pattern in PLWD using a cross-sectional design. In session 2, we will discuss the relationship between salivary cortisol indicators and depressive symptoms. In session 3, we focus on the association between diurnal cortisol slope and neuropsychiatric symptoms using the baseline data. In session 4, we describe the association between evening white light exposure and subjective sleep. The discussant will describe how these findings build on our understanding the nature of circadian rhythm disturbance in dementia and inform future research and treatment approaches.

MsFLASH analysis of diurnal salivary cortisol and palpitations in peri- and postmenopausal women.

To evaluate the relationship between diurnal salivary cortisol patterns and distress from heart palpitations in midlife women. We analyzed baseline data from 293 women who were eligible for a 3 × 2 factorial trial of exercise or yoga versus routine activity, and omega-3 fish oil versus placebo for vasomotor symptoms. Women self-collected salivary cortisol using swabs at four time points over 2 consecutive days and reported distress from heart racing or pounding during the past 2 weeks using a single item. Sample description and covariate data included demographics, clinical data, vasomotor symptom frequency from daily diaries, medication use, and validated questionnaires on depression, stress, and insomnia (Patient Health Questionnaire-8, Perceived Stress Scale, and Insomnia Severity index). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and t tests, and repeated measure linear regression models. Participants were on average 54.6 (SD = 3.6) years old, most were White (67%) postmenopausal (84%), and 26% reported distress related to palpitations. In adjusted models, the morning (wake plus 30-min) geometric mean daily salivary cortisol concentrations were significantly more blunted in those with distress from palpitations compared with those without distress (P ≤ 0.03). When all covariates were controlled, distress from palpitations was the sole significant predictor of wake plus 30-minute cortisol (-0.25 [-0.45 to -0.04], P = 0.02). Palpitations among midlife women may be associated with blunted morning cortisol, and this relationship is not explained by demographics, clinical variables, vasomotor symptoms, medications, depression, stress, or insomnia.

Emotion regulation and diurnal cortisol: A longitudinal study of early adolescents

Aberrant patterns of diurnal cortisol, a marker of stress reactivity, predict adverse physical and mental health among adolescents. However, the mechanisms underlying aberrant diurnal cortisol production are poorly understood. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate, for the first time, whether the core emotion regulation (ER) strategies of rumination (brooding, reflection), reappraisal, and suppression were prospectively associated with individual differences in diurnal cortisol during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of significant stress. A community sample of 48 early adolescents (Mage = 13.45; 60% males) was recruited from British Columbia, Canada. Participants completed ER measures before the pandemic, and diurnal cortisol was assessed by collecting eight saliva samples over two days during the first COVID-19-related lockdown in the region. As expected, brooding predicted elevated waking cortisol and a blunted cortisol awakening response (CAR), whereas reflection predicted lower waking cortisol and suppression predicted a steeper CAR. Unexpectedly, reappraisal was not associated with diurnal cortisol production. Results indicate that ER strategies may represent a mechanism underlying individual differences in biological markers of wellbeing during stress.

Post-Traumatic Bio-Behavioral Rehabilitation of Adult Female Victims.

ObjectiveTo determine if low resting basal AM cortisol and flat diurnal cortisol slope that has been reported in female abuse victims, which is dysregulated in the same way in female violent perpetrators, could be corrected and if healthier diurnal cortisol patterns are associated with less aggression in adult female victims.Design and MethodsA non-experimental, naturalistic study evaluated if bio-behavioral rehabilitation could occur for females living in a Delaware homeless mission and participating in their programs. Basal salivary cortisol (AM, PM & slope), aggression, neurological conditions, general health, alcohol use, having been a victim of abuse, religion, spirituality and forgiveness were evaluated over one month between 2018 and 2019.ResultsT tests revealed significant improvement in mean cortisol (AM, PM & slope), aggression, emotional/ behavioral dyscontrol, and health over one month while participating in the mission’s programs. Paired t-tests however were only significant for aggression and health. Healthier cortisol was significantly correlated with greater time since last alcohol, greater time since last abuse, less aggression, better health and greater religion, spirituality and forgiveness.ConclusionCommunity programs could be cost effective methods of post-traumatic bio-behavioral rehabilitation. Forgiveness may play a critical role for abuse victims. A larger sample and more settings are needed, although these findings are promising.

Daily variation of the cortisol and insulin concentration, glycemia, surface temperature, and behavior patterns due the administration of equine Chorionic Gonadotropin in rams

Sex steroids can modulate the circadian rhythmicity of some physiological and behavioral functions of sheep. During the non-breeding season, Corriedale rams have a low testosterone concentration, but the administration of equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) stimulates its secretion. Therefore, the daily variation of cortisol and insulin concentrations, glycemia, behavioral pattern (eating, ruminating, standing, lying, and sleeping), and rostral and eye surface temperatures were compared in rams treated or not treated with eCG during the non-breeding season [between August (late winter) and September (early spring)]. Twenty Corriedale adult rams (BW 63.4 ± 7.3 kg; BCS: 3.5 ± 0.5; mean ± SD; age: 2-3 years old) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: a) Treated: administration of 1000 IU of eCG intramuscularly and b) Control: control, without application of eCG. All the rams were managed under the same feeding and environmental conditions (individual pens outdoors). All variables were measured each hour for 26 h, except testosterone and insulin that were measured at 09:00, 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 21:00, 22:00, 24:00, 03:00, 06:00, 09:00 and 11:00 h. Testosterone and cortisol concentration were greater in Treated than Control rams (testosterone: 32.7 ± 0.7 nmol/L vs 5.8 ± 0.7 nmol/L; P <0.0001; cortisol: 11.3 ± 0.6 nmol/L vs 9.9 ± 0.6 nmol/L; P =0.02). The eye surface temperature was 0.9°C lower in the Treated than in the Control rams (P =0.004). The characteristics of the daily variation pattern of cortisol, glycemia, glycemia:insulin ratio, and surface temperature were not affected by the treatment, the acrophases being at ∼06:00 h, ∼18:00 h, ∼08:00 h, and ∼11:00 h, respectively. The acrophase of insulin concentration was observed earlier in Treated than in Control rams (13:02 ± 0:56 vs 15:47 ± 0:53; P =0.04). Additionally, the acrophase of the time spent eating was advanced in Treated rams (09:48 ± 00:16 vs 10:20 ± 00:16; P =0.04) and sleeping (21:39 ± 00:57 vs 02:02 ± 01:06; P <0.0001). Treated rams slept less time than Control rams (P =0.04). In conclusion, the administration of eCG modulated the daily variation pattern of insulin concentration and the behavioral pattern (period in which rams were observed eating and sleeping). Nevertheless, although there was a greater cortisol concentration and reduced eye surface temperature, the administration of eCG did not modify their daily variation pattern, suggesting that this is robust, limiting the effect of testosterone on their basal pattern.

1348Childhood adversities and diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol in adulthood: two UK-based prospective cohort studies

Abstract Background Dysregulation of diurnal cortisol patterns may mediate between chronic stress and health problems. Findings on the association of childhood adversities with adult cortisol, however, are equivocal, mainly due to low statistical power, sample selection, and unstandardised indices of cortisol. Methods Participants were from Whitehall II study (n = 3434), and National Child Development Study (NCDS) (n = 2072). In Whitehall II, multilevel models were used to examine associations of retrospectively measured childhood adversities with two indices of diurnal cortisol patterns (awakening response and diurnal slope) at a median age of 65. In NCDS, regression was used to investigate associations of prospectively measured adversities with two measures of morning cortisol at the age of 44/45. We then regressed predicted values of cortisol from these models against count of adversities to examine dose-response effects. Results The prevalence of reporting at least one adversity was 67.8% in Whitehall II, and 47.8% in NCDS. None of the individual adversities were associated with overall cortisol levels in either study. However, for each additional adversity, there was a 1% elevated awakening response (95%CI: 0.8% to 1.19%), and, among men only, a 1.2% lower cortisol level at awakening (-1.98 to -0.40) with flatter diurnal slope (0.1 to 0.1) in Whitehall II; and a 1.3% lower cortisol level (-1.78 to -0.70) at 3.75 hrs after awakening in NCDS. Conclusions Experience of multiple childhood adversities may be associated with dysregulated salivary cortisol patterns later in life. Key messages Accumulation of childhood adversities might be associated with dysregulated diurnal cortisol patterns in adulthood.

Impact of Loneliness on Diurnal Cortisol in Youth during COVID-19

BackgroundLoneliness is associated with psychopathology in youth, though we do not know how loneliness gets under the skin in ways that impact long-term health and development. Loneliness may influence youths' patterns of diurnal cortisol, a predictor of health across the lifespan. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a salient period in which to study this question as the physical-distancing measures put in place to contain the virus have resulted in greater loneliness in youth.MethodsWe examined the prospective association between loneliness and diurnal cortisol in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic using hierarchical linear modelling.ResultsGreater loneliness was associated with higher levels of cortisol at waking, B=0.10, p=.002, and a blunted cortisol awakening response, B=-0.003, p =.003, a pattern of functioning that increases risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes across the lifespan.ConclusionThis study is the first to examine the association between loneliness and diurnal cortisol in early adolescence and identified a mechanism contributing to biological markers of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings underscore the importance of developing and distributing strategies to mitigate feelings of loneliness among youth.

Cortisol dysregulation among American Sign Language interpreters in different work settings: Confirmation of occupational health risks

Cumulative motion injuries and burnout contribute to an international shortage of signed language interpreters (SLIs). Studies using the Job Content Questionnaire, a well-validated measure of occupational health risks, indicate that risk levels differ among SLI work settings. Specifically, video relay service (VRS) and primary and secondary educational settings (K–12) are associated with greater health risks. The current study validated those results by analysing the diurnal rhythm of salivary cortisol levels. Anomalies in diurnal cortisol rhythms are associated with an array of health problems. Our full-time SLI participants included VRS workers ( N = 20), K–12 workers ( N = 18), and SLIs who worked in other settings ( N = 23). Non-interpreters using sign language daily at work ( N = 18) comprised a fourth group. Saliva samples were collected four times daily over 2 working days. The VRS and K–12 SLIs demonstrated lower morning peak cortisol levels and flatter diurnal cortisol slopes from morning peak to subsequent diminution. Both findings are associated with chronic stress and greater health risks. The VRS and K–12 groups’ diurnal cortisol patterns closely resembled each other, while the Other SLI group’s curve closely resembled that of the Non-Interpreter group. Implications for SLI health, education, and job redesign are discussed in the context of the demand control schema.

Links Between Socioeconomic Status, Daily Depressive Affect, Diurnal Cortisol Patterns, and All-Cause Mortality.

Socioeconomic status (SES) remains a robust risk factor for mortality. Various theoretical models postulate that lower SES is associated with higher negative affect, which then initiates a cascade of physiological disturbances that contribute to illness and early mortality. However, few studies have explicitly investigated the interplay between psychological and biological factors in determining SES disparities in mortality. This study examined the role of daily negative affect and cortisol secretion in explaining the SES-mortality link in a large sample of US adults. Using data from the Midlife in the United States study (n = 1735, mean [standard deviation] age = 56.40 [12.10] years, 56.4% female), we tested longitudinal associations between SES, daily negative affect, daily cortisol levels, and all-cause mortality 13 years later. Daily negative affect was classified into three clusters reflecting depressive affect, anxiety, and anger. Higher SES was linked to a lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = 0.90 to 0.97). Furthermore, there was a sequential link between higher SES and lower mortality through lower daily depressive affect and a steeper ("healthier") diurnal cortisol slope (indirect effect = -0.0007, 95% confidence interval = -0.0014 to -0.0002). Daily anxiety and anger were not associated with cortisol levels or mortality (p values > .05). These findings suggest that daily negative emotional experiences and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning may constitute important psychological and physiological pathways underlying the link between SES and all-cause mortality.

Diurnal pattern of salivary cortisol and progression of aortic stiffness: Longitudinal study

BackgroundThe positive direct relation between stress and the development of cardiovascular disease has increasingly been recognized. However, the link between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) dysregulation and subclinical cardiovascular disease has not been studied longitudinally. We investigated the relation of diurnal salivary cortisol, as a biological marker of stress levels, with progression of aortic stiffness over five years. MethodsA total of 3281 people (mean age 65.5) in the Whitehall II prospective study provided six saliva samples on a single weekday. We assessed the diurnal salivary cortisol using the daytime slope and bedtime level. Aortic stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) at baseline (2007–2009) and five years later (2012–2013). Linear mixed models were used to estimate the association of diurnal salivary cortisol with baseline PWV and five-year longitudinal changes. ResultsDiurnal salivary cortisol were not associated with PWV at baseline. Among women but not men, a 1-SD shallower salivary cortisol slope at baseline was associated with a five-year increase in PWV (β = 0.199; 95% CI = 0.040, 0.358 m/s) and higher bedtime cortisol level (β = 0.208, 95% CI = 0.062, 0.354 m/s). ConclusionsDysregulation of the HPA axis measured using salivary cortisol (shallower slope, higher bedtime level) predicted the rate of progression of aortic stiffness among women.

Dysregulated Diurnal Cortisol Pattern and Heightened Night-Time Cortisol in Individuals with Bipolar Disorder

Introduction: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation may contribute to the symptom burden in bipolar disorder (BD). Further characterization of cortisol secretion is needed to improve understanding of the connection between mood, sleep, and the HPA axis. Here, we observe diurnal cortisol patterns in individuals with BD and healthy controls (HCs) to determine time points where differences may occur. Methods: Salivary cortisol was measured at 6 time points (wake, 15, 30, and 45 min after wake, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.) for 3 consecutive days in individuals with symptomatic BD (N = 27) and HC participants (N = 31). A general linear model with correlated errors was utilized to determine if salivary cortisol changed differently throughout the day between the 2 study groups. Results: A significant interaction (F = 2.74, df = 5, and p = 0.02) was observed between the time of day and the study group (BD vs. HC) when modeling salivary cortisol over time, indicating that salivary cortisol levels throughout the day significantly differed between the study groups. Specifically, salivary cortisol in BD was elevated compared to HCs at the 10:00 p.m. time point (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Significantly higher levels of cortisol in participants with BD in the night-time suggest that the attenuation of cortisol observed in healthy individuals may be impaired in those with BD. Reregulation of cortisol levels may be a target of further study and treatment intervention for individuals with BD.

The relationship of childhood adversity with diurnal cortisol patterns and C-reactive protein at 60–64 years of age in the 1946 National Survey of Health and Development

BackgroundEarly life adversity is increasingly prevalent and associated with greater morbidity and mortality. It is hypothesised that the link between psychosocial early life adversity and poor health in adulthood is due to abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning (often measured as cortisol patterning) and inflammation (often measured via c-reactive protein (CRP)). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between early life psychosocial adversity and cortisol patterning and CRP at 60–64 years of age. MethodsThe MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) was used. The analytic “cortisol sample” included 843 individuals and the “CRP sample” included 1150 individuals. Data on adversity experienced between ages 0–15 years were utilised to compose a cumulative childhood psychosocial early life adversity (ELA) score (0, 1, 2, 3+). CRP and salivary cortisol (waking, 30 min after waking, and evening) were collected at 60–64 years. Associations between the psychosocial ELA score and cortisol outcomes (cortisol awakening response (CAR), diurnal slope (DS), and evening and morning cortisol) were assessed using general linear regression. Tobit regression was used to assess the association between psychosocial ELA score and CRP. Adjustments were made for age at follow-up, sex, childhood maternal education, childhood paternal social class, childhood housing tenure, and birth weight. After testing for sex by ELA score interactions, analyses were repeated stratified by sex for the CRP sample. ResultsIn fully adjusted models, individuals who experienced the highest level of childhood psychosocial adversity (3+) had a 24.63 (−41.49, −7.76) % lower waking cortisol and a 7.30 (1.49, 13.12) % lower decline in cortisol across the day compared to those with a psychosocial ELA score of zero. In females, the highest level of childhood psychosocial adversity, compared to the lowest, was associated with 32.61 (2.98, 62.25) % higher CRP at 60–64 years, which attenuated to 20.38% (−9.38, 50.14) upon adjustment for measures of early life socioeconomic position. Conversely, the association between childhood psychosocial adversity and CRP in males was null. ConclusionsOur results suggest that high-levels of psychosocial adversity in childhood might result in a lower morning cortisol and flatter DS in mid-to-late-adulthood. The finding that adversity was related to higher CRP in females but not males requires replication and further investigation.

Impact of loneliness on diurnal cortisol in youth

Loneliness is associated with multiple forms of psychopathology in youth. However, we do not yet know how loneliness gets “under the skin” in ways that may impact the long-term health and development of early adolescents. In particular, loneliness may influence youths’ patterns of diurnal cortisol, an index of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning and a central predictor of health across the lifespan. The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19) pandemic represents a salient period in which to study the consequences of loneliness, as recent work has provided evidence that the physical-distancing measures put in place to contain the virus have resulted in greater loneliness, particularly among youth. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the prospective association between loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and diurnal cortisol in early adolescents. We found that greater loneliness was associated with higher levels of cortisol at waking and a blunted cortisol awakening response (CAR). These results held even when controlling for covariates that can influence diurnal trajectories of cortisol. Critically, this pattern of HPA-axis functioning increases risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes across adolescence and into adulthood. This study is the first to examine the prospective association between loneliness and diurnal cortisol in early adolescence, and the first to identify mechanisms that contribute to biological markers of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings underscore the importance of developing and distributing strategies to mitigate feelings of loneliness among youth.

Chronic Inflammation Mediates the Association between Cortisol and Hyperglycemia: Findings from the Cross-Sectional Population-Based KORA Age Study.

(1) Background: The study aimed to investigate the role of subclinical inflammation on the association between diurnal cortisol patterns and glycaemia in an aged population. (2) Methods: Salivary cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were analysed in a sample of 394 men and 364 women (mean age = 5 ± 6.3, 65–90 years). The ratio of morning after awakening and late-night cortisol was calculated as an indication of diurnal cortisol slope (DCS). Multivariable regression models were run to examine whether IL-6 mediates the relationship between the DCS and glycaemia. The Sobel test and bootstrapping methods were used to quantify the mediation analyses. (3) Results: In comparison to normoglycaemic counterparts (n = 676, 89.2%), an increase in IL-6 concentrations, in individuals with hyperglycaemia (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) (n = 82, 10.8%) (p = 0.04), was significantly associated with a flatter DCS. The link between flatter DCS and elevated HbA1c level was significant mediated by a heightened IL-6 level. Our results do not suggest reverse-directionality, whereby cortisol did not mediate the association of IL-6 with HbA1c. (4) Conclusions: In our sample, the relation between flatter DCS and hyperglycaemia was partly explained by IL-6 levels. The paradigm of subclinical inflammation-mediated cortisol response on glucose metabolism could have widespread implications for improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Long-term effects of father involvement in childhood on their son's physiological stress regulation system in adulthood.

Using a long-term prospective longitudinal study of U.S. men and their fathers, the present study examined the extent to which the quantity (i.e., shared activities between fathers and sons) and the quality (i.e., assessors' ratings of fathers' positive behaviors toward sons and the relationship quality between fathers and sons) of father involvement during childhood influenced sons' diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol in adulthood (late 30s) directly and indirectly through substance use across the 20s. Findings indicated that the quantity of father involvement during childhood was directly associated with sons' diurnal cortisol patterns assessed almost 30 years later. Specifically, the quantity of father involvement in childhood significantly increased the intercept (i.e., upon awakening) and also led to a greater reduction in cortisol across the day, suggesting a well-regulated diurnal cortisol pattern. The quantity of father involvement significantly reduced the amount of sons' illicit drug and tobacco use across the 20s. Tobacco use across the 20s was associated with a lower cortisol intercept level (upon awakening), although the mediating path was not significant. The present study provided empirical evidence demonstrating long-term physiological and behavioral consequences of father involvement in childhood and its potency as a crucial early caregiving environment for sons.

Serum cortisol as a predictor for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in post-myocardial infarction patients

BackgroundAfter an acute myocardial infarction (MI22MI: myocardial infarction), patients may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD33PTSD: posttraumatic stress disorder). There is evidence for alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in PTSD. An association between patients` cortisol level after experiencing an MI and subsequent PTSD symptoms has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether serum cortisol measured in patients admitted to hospital for acute coronary care after MI is predictive of PTSD symptoms at three and 12 months post-MI, respectively. MethodsPatients (N=106) with a verified MI and high risk for the development of MI-induced PTSD symptoms were included in the study within 48 hours of hospital admission for acute coronary intervention. Serum cortisol was measured from fasting venous blood samples the next morning. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test for an independent contribution of cortisol levels from admission to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale sum score three and 12 months after discharge from the coronary care unit. ResultsHierarchical regression analysis showed that lower serum cortisol levels were significantly associated with more severe PTSD symptoms three months (B=-0.002, p=0.042) and 12 months (B=-0.002, p=0.043) post-MI. LimitationsThe generalizability of the findings is limited to patients with high acute peri-traumatic distress and without an acute severe depressive episode. The study does not provide any information about the diurnal cortisol pattern. ConclusionLower serum cortisol measured during MI hospitalization may predict more severe MI-induced PTSD symptoms three and 12 months after hospital discharge.