Carro N, Ibar C, D'Adamo P, Gonzalez D, Berg G, Fabre B, Lozada M. Hair cortisol reduction and social integration enhancement after a mindfulness-based intervention in children.
Child Care Health Dev 2023;
49:73-79. [PMID:
35312189 DOI:
10.1111/cch.13008]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Over recent decades, chronic stress at an early age has become a worrying health problem in children. We seek to evaluate an intervention involving mindfulness-based practices and prosocial activities in 7- to 8-year-old children.
METHODS
Stress levels were determined using hair cortisol concentration (HCC), and social integration was measured by means of a sociogram. The program had previously proven to be effective in decreasing salivary cortisol levels and in favouring social integration in children. A total of 35 children participated in the study: 18 constituted the intervention group and 17 the wait-list group. In both groups, HCC and social integration were evaluated before and after the intervention conducted throughout an entire school year.
RESULTS
The experimental group showed a significant reduction in HCC, as well as significant enhancement of social integration levels, whereas no changes were observed in the wait-list group.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first research to show that HCC, a reliable neuroendocrine indicator, decreased as a result of a mindfulness-based program. This successful outcome adds new evidence to previous findings regarding the reduction of chronic stress in children following participation in this program.
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