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Sun J, Jiang Y, Zilioli S, Xie M, Chen L, Lin D. Psychological and Physical Abuse and Cortisol Response to Stress: The Moderating Role of Psychosocial Resources. J Youth Adolesc 2023; 52:91-104. [PMID: 36370228 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-022-01699-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Child abuse is associated with alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning. However, the unique effects of psychological and physical abuse and protective factors against these effects remain largely unknown. To close these gaps, the present study examined the unique effects of psychological and physical abuse on cortisol stress response and explored the moderating role of psychosocial resources in these associations among a sample of Chinese preadolescent children (N = 150; aged 9-13 years; Mage = 10.69 years; 51% boys). The results showed that both psychological and physical abuse were associated with blunted cortisol reactivity slopes. Psychological abuse, but not physical abuse, was associated with lower peak cortisol values and flatter cortisol recovery slopes. Further, psychosocial resources moderated the association between abuse and hyporesponsiveness of the HPA axis. The association between psychological abuse and lower peak cortisol values and the association between physical abuse and steeper cortisol recovery slopes (faster cortisol recovery following the stressor) were observed only among children with low levels of psychosocial resources. These findings indicate the differential effects of psychological and physical abuse on various phases of cortisol stress response, and the protective role of psychosocial resources. This study also has practical implications, given that preadolescence serves as a critical period for maximizing benefit of interventions of adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Sun
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Yanping Jiang
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Mingjun Xie
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Chen
- Higher Education Research Institute, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Danhua Lin
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Ajibewa TA, Adams TA, Gill AK, Mazin LE, Gerras JE, Hasson RE. Stress coping strategies and stress reactivity in adolescents with overweight/obesity. Stress Health 2021; 37:243-254. [PMID: 32978994 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This study explored the associations between the frequency and effectiveness of habitual stress coping strategies on physiological and psychological stress responses to an acute laboratory stressor in adolescents with overweight/obesity (51 adolescents; 47% female; ages 14-19 years). Coping strategies were assessed using the Schoolager's Coping Strategies Inventory. Acute physiological stress responses were measured as salivary cortisol and α-amylase output during the Trier Social Stress Test and during a control condition. Acute psychological stress was measured using a Likert-type scale, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate were measured at baseline. Results revealed that higher coping effectiveness was associated with lower log-based α-amylase during the stress (β = -0.025, p = 0.018) and control (β = -0.030, p = 0.005) conditions, but not with cortisol across either condition (all ps > 0.05). SBP moderated the association between coping effectiveness and α-amylase during the stress condition, with higher coping effectiveness associated with lower α-amylase only among individuals with lower SBP (β = 0.002, p = 0.027). Coping frequency was not associated with cortisol responses, neither was habitual stress coping strategies associated with psychological stress (all ps > 0.05). These findings provide preliminary evidence that effective use of stress coping strategies may provide a dampening effect on sympathetic activity in an at-risk adolescent population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiwaloluwa A Ajibewa
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Tessa A Adams
- Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Amaanat K Gill
- Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lauren E Mazin
- Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Julia E Gerras
- Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rebecca E Hasson
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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3
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Jiang Y, Li X, Zilioli S, Zhao J, Zhao G. Effects of Peer Victimization and Perceived Social Support on Daily Negative Affect and Sleep Outcomes. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2020; 29:1374-1384. [PMID: 36872950 PMCID: PMC9979617 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-019-01656-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of peer victimization-measured at the daily and cumulative levels-on daily negative affect and multiple sleep parameters including subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep continuity (i.e., night awakening) among children affected by parental HIV from rural China. This study also aimed to test the moderation effects of perceived social support and sex in these associations. METHODS A total of 637 children (50.4% boys, 8-15 years of age) affected by parental HIV self-reported measures on cumulative peer victimization (i.e., the experience of victimization during the past 6 months) and perceived social support. They were also asked to report daily peer victimization, daily negative affect, and sleep outcomes over three consecutive days. RESULTS Multilevel models showed that cumulative peer victimization was associated with both daily negative affect and night awakenings, whereas these associations became statistically nonsignificant after controlling for trait negative affect. Daily peer victimization was significantly related to daily negative affect. All these associations were consistent for boys and girls. There were no buffering effects of perceived social support on these associations. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that peer victimization may contribute to daily negative emotional experiences among children affected by parental HIV. Interventions targeting psychological wellbeing among children affected by parental HIV may need to incorporate peer victimization component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Jiang
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Junfeng Zhao
- International Research Center for Psychological Health of Vulnerable Populations, Henan University, Henan, China
| | - Guoxiang Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Henan Normal University, Henan, China
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Chen L, Li X, Imami L, Lin D, Zhao J, Zhao G, Zilioli S. Diurnal Cortisol in a Sample of Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Chinese Children: Evidence for the Shift-and-Persist Hypothesis. Psychosom Med 2020; 81:200-208. [PMID: 30531205 PMCID: PMC6355348 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Low socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the most well-established social determinants of health. However, little is known about what can protect the health of individuals (especially children) living in low-SES circumstances. This study explored whether the psychological strategy of "shift-and-persist" protects low-SES children from stress-related physiological risks, as measured through blunted (unhealthy) diurnal cortisol profiles. METHODS A sample of 645 children (aged 8-15 years) from low-SES backgrounds and having at least one HIV-positive parent completed a battery of psychological scales. Diurnal cortisol assessments included collection of saliva samples four times a day for 3 days, from which three cortisol parameters (cortisol at awakening, cortisol awakening response, and cortisol slope) were derived. RESULTS Higher levels of shift-and-persist, considered as a single variable, were associated with higher cortisol at awakening (B = 0.0119, SE = 0.0034, p < .001) and a steeper cortisol slope (B = -0.0007, SE = 0.0003, p = .023). These associations remained significant after adjusting for covariates and did not vary by age. In supplementary analyses, where shifting and persisting were treated as separate variables, the interaction between these two coping strategies significantly predicted cortisol at awakening (B = 0.0250, SE = 0.0107, p = .020) and the cortisol slope (B = -0.0022, SE = 0.0011, p = .040), suggesting that the combination of shift-and-persist is important for predicting diurnal cortisol profiles. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that shift-and-persist is associated with healthier diurnal cortisol profiles among socioeconomically disadvantaged children and introduce the possibility that this coping strategy is protective against other stressors, such as those uniquely faced by children in our study (i.e., being affected by parental HIV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Chen
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Ledina Imami
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Danhua Lin
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Junfeng Zhao
- Institute of Psychology and Behavior, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Guoxiang Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
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Zhu M, Guo Y, Li Y, Zeng C, Qiao J, Xu Z, Zeng Y, Cai W, Li L, Liu C. HIV-related stigma and quality of life in people living with HIV and depressive symptoms: indirect effects of positive coping and perceived stress. AIDS Care 2020; 32:1030-1035. [PMID: 32290681 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1752890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite a strong evidence on the negative association between HIV-related stigma and quality of life (QoL), few studies have examined the indirect effects of this relationship. This study aimed to examine the association between HIV-related stigma and QoL and the indirect effects of positive coping and perceived stress in people living with HIV and depressive symptoms (PLWHD). This study used baseline date from a randomized controlled trial. Structural equation model was used to examine the association between HIV-related stigma and QoL as well as the indirect effects of positive coping and perceived stress. Perceived and internalized stigma had negative direct (β = -0.14, p < 0.05) effect on QoL. Moreover, perceived and internalized stigma had indirect effects on QoL through decreased positive coping and increased perceived stress (β = -0.23, p < 0.001). Multilevel interventions to reduce perceived and internalized stigma and perceived stress as well as programs to enhance positive coping may improve QoL of PLWHD. Integrated interventions that both enhance positive coping and reduce perceived stress and stigma are potentially more effective in improving QoL than programs that focus on only one aspect of stigma reduction among PLWHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Zhu
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Guo
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Center for Migrant Health Policy, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Institute of State Governance, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiran Li
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengbo Zeng
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Colombia, USA.,Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Colombia, USA
| | - Jiaying Qiao
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimeng Xu
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zeng
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiping Cai
- Department of Infectious Disease, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Linghua Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Jiang Y, Li X, Chen L, Zhou G, Zhao J, Zhao G. Peer victimization and diurnal cortisol rhythm among children affected by parental HIV: Mediating effects of emotional regulation and gender differences. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 97:174-181. [PMID: 30036795 PMCID: PMC10501171 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity has been demonstrated as one of the physiological mechanisms underlying the long-lasting effects of peer victimization on physical and mental health. However, the mechanisms linking peer victimization to dysregulations of HPA axis activity remain inadequately understood. The present study examined the potential mediating role of emotional regulation in the association between peer victimization and HPA axis activity in a large community-based sample of 645 children affected by parental HIV (Mage = 10.67 years, ranging from 8 to 15 years old). The three-level growth curve model revealed that higher peer victimization was associated with lower emotional regulation, which in turn was related to lower cortisol at awakening and more blunted diurnal slopes in girls, but not in boys. The findings highlight the protective effect of emotional regulation in relation to HPA axis activity in victimized children, particularly in girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Jiang
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Lihua Chen
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangyu Zhou
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Junfeng Zhao
- International Research Center for Psychological Health of Vulnerable Populations, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
| | - Guoxiang Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
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Liu Y, West SG, Levy R, Aiken LS. Tests of Simple Slopes in Multiple Regression Models with an Interaction: Comparison of Four Approaches. MULTIVARIATE BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH 2017; 52:445-464. [PMID: 28463014 DOI: 10.1080/00273171.2017.1309261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In multiple regression researchers often follow up significant tests of the interaction between continuous predictors X and Z with tests of the simple slope of Y on X at different sample-estimated values of the moderator Z (e.g., ±1 SD from the mean of Z). We show analytically that when X and Z are randomly sampled from the population, the variance expression of the simple slope at sample-estimated values of Z differs from the traditional variance expression obtained when the values of X and Z are fixed. A simulation study using randomly sampled predictors compared four approaches: (a) the Aiken and West ( 1991 ) test of simple slopes at fixed population values of Z, (b) the Aiken and West test at sample-estimated values of Z, (c) a 95% percentile bootstrap confidence interval approach, and (d) a fully Bayesian approach with diffuse priors. The results showed that approach (b) led to inflated Type 1 error rates and 95% confidence intervals with inadequate coverage rates, whereas other approaches maintained acceptable Type 1 error rates and adequate coverage of confidence intervals. Approach (c) had asymmetric rejection rates at small sample sizes. We used an empirical data set to illustrate these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- a Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences , University of Houston
| | | | - Roy Levy
- c T. Denny Sanford School of Social & Family Dynamics , Arizona State University
| | - Leona S Aiken
- b Department of Psychology , Arizona State University
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Chen X, Gianferante D, Hanlin L, Fiksdal A, Breines JG, Thoma MV, Rohleder N. HPA-axis and inflammatory reactivity to acute stress is related with basal HPA-axis activity. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 78:168-176. [PMID: 28209543 PMCID: PMC5375039 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inflammation is drawing attention as pathway between psychosocial stress and health, and basal HPA axis activity has been suggested to exert a consistent regulatory influence on peripheral inflammation. Here we studied the relationship between basal HPA axis activity and inflammatory and HPA axis acute stress reactivity. METHODS We recruited 48 healthy individuals and collected saliva for diurnal cortisol sampling at 6 points. Participants were previously exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) on two consecutive days. Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) and salivary cortisol reactivity to acute stress were measured, and their relationships with basal HPA axis activity were analyzed. RESULTS Steeper cortisol awakening response (CAR) linear increase was related with stronger cortisol stress reactivity (γ=0.015; p=0.042) and marginally significantly with greater habituation (γ=0.01; p=0.066). Greater curvilinearity of CAR was related with stronger cortisol reactivity (γ=-0.014; p=0.021) and greater cortisol habituation (γ=-0.011; p=0.006). Steeper daily linear decline was related with significant or marginally significantly stronger cortisol and IL-6 reactivity (cortisol: γ=-0.0004; p=0.06; IL-6: γ=-0.028; p=0.031) and greater habituation (cortisol: γ=-0.002; p=0.009, IL-6: γ=-0.015; p=0.033). Greater curvilinearity of daily decline was related with stronger IL-6 reactivity (γ=0.002; p=0.024) and also greater cortisol and IL-6 habituation (cortisol: γ=0.00009; p=0.03, IL-6: γ=0.001; p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS Patterns of basal HPA axis activity that are related with healthier outcomes were found to be related with stronger initial cortisol and IL-6 reactivity and greater habituation. This is an important step in understanding the long-term health implications of acute stress responsiveness, and future studies should employ longitudinal designs to identify the direction of these relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejie Chen
- Department of Psychology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Danielle Gianferante
- Department of Psychology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Luke Hanlin
- Department of Psychology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Alexander Fiksdal
- Department of Psychology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Juliana G. Breines
- Department of Psychology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Myriam V. Thoma
- Department of Psychology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States,Division of Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Rohleder
- Department of Psychology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States; Chair of Health Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Zilioli S, Slatcher RB, Chi P, Li X, Zhao J, Zhao G. The impact of daily and trait loneliness on diurnal cortisol and sleep among children affected by parental HIV/AIDS. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 75:64-71. [PMID: 27810705 PMCID: PMC5256636 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and disruptions of restorative processes (e.g., sleep) have been proposed as two key mechanisms through which loneliness leads to medical morbidity in adults and late adolescents. Whether loneliness acts through these biological and behavioral intermediaries in children as well remains unexplored. In a sample of 645 children aged 8-15 affected by parental HIV/AIDS in rural China, trait and state (i.e., daily) loneliness were measured in a 3-day diary study, wherein participants also provided cortisol samples and sleep measures. Whereas high levels of trait loneliness were found to predict lower morning cortisol levels, longer time in bed, lower sleep quality, and a higher number of night awakenings, daily loneliness was associated with a flatter diurnal cortisol slope and shorter time in bed. Although the association between trait loneliness and daily loneliness with HPA activity remained significant after controlling for psychological constructs that overlap with loneliness (e.g., depression and daily negative affect), some of the associations between loneliness and sleep measures became non-significant after including these additional covariates. These findings provide the first empirical evidence to our knowledge of associations between trait and state loneliness and health-related outcomes among school-aged children and young adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
| | - Richard B. Slatcher
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA
| | - Peilian Chi
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University South Carolina, Columbia 29208, USA
| | - Junfeng Zhao
- Institute of Behavior and Psychology, Henan University, Department of Psychology, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Guoxiang Zhao
- Institute of Behavior and Psychology, Henan University, Department of Psychology, Kaifeng 475004, China
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Individual and Day-to-Day Differences in Active Coping Predict Diurnal Cortisol Patterns among Early Adolescent Girls. J Youth Adolesc 2016; 46:121-135. [PMID: 27783306 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-016-0591-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Prior work has identified alterations in activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as a potential mechanism underlying stress-induced emotional health problems, which disproportionately impact girls beginning in mid-adolescence. How adolescent girls differ from one another in dispositional coping tendencies and shift specific coping strategies in response to varying stressors have been theorized as important predictors of their adaptation, health, and well-being during this dynamic period of development. The goal of this study was to examine whether individual and day-to-day (within-person) differences in adolescent girls' coping responses are associated with daily patterns of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, indexed by cortisol. Participants were 122 early adolescent girls (M age = 12.39) who provided three saliva samples per day for 3 days and completed daily coping reports, as well as a standard coping survey. Participants and primary caregivers also completed objective life stress interviews. On average, girls who were more likely to respond to interpersonal stress with voluntary engagement (active) coping exhibited generally adaptive daily physiological regulation-steeper diurnal cortisol slopes, lower total diurnal cortisol output, and lower cortisol awakening responses. Chronic interpersonal stress level significantly moderated these associations in different ways for two distinct components of the diurnal pattern-the slope and cortisol awakening responses. Regarding within-person differences, using active coping more than usual was associated with higher waking cortisol the following morning, which may help to prepare adolescent girls for perceived daily demands. These findings highlight the interactive influence of stress and coping in the prediction of daily hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and support the stress-buffering role of active coping for adolescent girls.
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Chi P, Slatcher RB, Li X, Zhao J, Zhao G, Ren X, Zhu J, Stanton B. Perceived Stigmatization, Resilience, and Diurnal Cortisol Rhythm Among Children of Parents Living With HIV. Psychol Sci 2015; 26:843-52. [PMID: 25888685 DOI: 10.1177/0956797615572904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stigmatization often puts at risk the health and well-being of children from marginalized groups. One potential protective factor for such children is resilience--one's capability to adapt flexibly, persistently, and resourcefully to stressful situations. In this study, we investigated the associations among stigmatization, resilience, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in a sample of 645 youths affected by parents infected with HIV. Perceived stigmatization was associated with lower cortisol levels at awakening and flatter cortisol slopes, whereas resilience was independently associated with higher levels of salivary cortisol at awakening and steeper cortisol slopes. We found evidence for an indirect effect of resilience on diurnal cortisol through lower perceived stigmatization. These associations remained significant after we controlled for demographic and health factors and stressful life events. Our findings demonstrate that perceived stigmatization and resilience are associated with HPA-axis functioning in childhood. Broadly, the data suggest that resilience-promoting and stigma-reducing efforts should be considered to improve the health of children from disadvantaged groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peilian Chi
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine
| | | | - Xiaoming Li
- Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine
| | - Junfeng Zhao
- Institute of Behavior and Psychology, Henan University
| | - Guoxiang Zhao
- Institute of Behavior and Psychology, Henan University
| | - Xuequn Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Huaihe Hospital, Henan University
| | - Jianfeng Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Huaihe Hospital, Henan University
| | - Bonita Stanton
- Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine
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