The interactive effects of elevated mid-afternoon cortisol and trauma history on PTSD symptoms in children: A preliminary study

Summary Given the alarming frequency and severity of trauma exposure among children, identifying contextual and biologic factors that increase risk for symptomatic responses to trauma is an essential step toward preventing psychopathology. Basal functioning of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychoneuroendocrinology 2009-11, Vol.34 (10), p.1582-1585
Main Authors: Bevans, Katherine, Cerbone, Arleen B, Overstreet, Stacy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Anxiety disorders. Neuroses
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Circadian Rhythm
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hormones and behavior
Humans
Hydrocortisone - metabolism
Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA)
Male
Medical sciences
Pilot Projects
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Saliva - metabolism
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - complications
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - metabolism
Time Factors
Trauma
Wounds and Injuries - complications
Wounds and Injuries - metabolism
Wounds and Injuries - psychology
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Summary:Summary Given the alarming frequency and severity of trauma exposure among children, identifying contextual and biologic factors that increase risk for symptomatic responses to trauma is an essential step toward preventing psychopathology. Basal functioning of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis was evaluated to determine its role in relations between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms among 66 children ( M age = 10.7 years). Exposure to recent trauma (within the past year), previously experienced trauma (more than 1 year ago), and basal mid-afternoon cortisol levels were each positively related to PTSD symptoms. Further, these factors interacted in an additive manner to account for a significant proportion of the variance in PTSD symptoms. Implications for the early identification of children at risk for symptomatic responses to trauma are discussed.
ISSN:0306-4530
1873-3360
DOI:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.04.010