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McAlister KL, Zink J, Huh J, Yang CH, Dunton GF, Dieli-Conwright CM, Page KA, Belcher BR. Perceived stress and associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and interstitial glucose in healthy adolescents. Physiol Behav 2024; 283:114617. [PMID: 38889810 PMCID: PMC11246823 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Less moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), more sedentary time (ST), and higher perceived stress are related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) occurrence, but observational evidence addressing the interaction of these factors is lacking in youth. This pilot study investigated momentary stress as a moderator in the acute associations of MVPA and ST with subsequent glucose in healthy adolescents. METHODS Participants (N=15, Mage=13.1±1.0 years, 10 girls, 5 with overweight/obesity) simultaneously wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), thigh-mounted accelerometer, and reported momentary stress via random ecological momentary assessments (EMA; Time T) for 7-14 days. MVPA and ST (min) were calculated for 60- and 120-minute time windows before each EMA prompt (Time T-1). Mean CGM-measured interstitial glucose (mg/dL) was calculated after each prompt (Mmin=120.0±25.4; Time T+1). Multilevel models assessed whether within-subject MVPA and ST (Time T-1) predicted mean glucose (Time T+1), with momentary stress as a moderator (Time T). RESULTS There were 513 time-matched EMA reports of stress, accelerometer, and CGM data. Momentary stress moderated the effects of MVPA 60 (β=-0.22, p=.001) and 120 min (β=-0.08, p=.02) before the prompt on subsequent glucose levels. When youth spent more time in MVPA than their average and when momentary stress was higher than their average, subsequent glucose was lower. Stress did not moderate associations of ST with glucose (p>.05). CONCLUSIONS Higher momentary stress may interact with higher MVPA to lower subsequent glucose in youth. Accelerometers, EMA, and CGMs can be integrated in future studies to further understand these associations in free-living environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L McAlister
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Jennifer Zink
- Health Behaviors Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jimi Huh
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chih-Hsiang Yang
- Department of Exercise Science/TecHealth, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Genevieve F Dunton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christina M Dieli-Conwright
- Department of Medical Oncology, Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen A Page
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Britni R Belcher
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Schaefer JK, Engert V, Valk SL, Singer T, Puhlmann LM. Mapping pathways to neuronal atrophy in healthy, mid-aged adults: From chronic stress to systemic inflammation to neurodegeneration? Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 38:100781. [PMID: 38725445 PMCID: PMC11081785 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence implicates systemic inflammation in the loss of structural brain integrity in natural ageing and disorder development. Chronic stress and glucocorticoid exposure can potentiate inflammatory processes and may also be linked to neuronal atrophy, particularly in the hippocampus and the human neocortex. To improve understanding of emerging maladaptive interactions between stress and inflammation, this study examined evidence for glucocorticoid- and inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration in healthy mid-aged adults. N = 169 healthy adults (mean age = 39.4, 64.5% female) were sampled from the general population in the context of the ReSource Project. Stress, inflammation and neuronal atrophy were quantified using physiological indices of chronic stress (hair cortisol (HCC) and cortisone (HEC) concentration), systemic inflammation (interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)), the systemic inflammation index (SII), hippocampal volume (HCV) and cortical thickness (CT) in regions of interest. Structural equation models were used to examine evidence for pathways from stress and inflammation to neuronal atrophy. Model fit indices indicated good representation of stress, inflammation, and neurological data through the constructed models (CT model: robust RMSEA = 0.041, robust χ2 = 910.90; HCV model: robust RMSEA <0.001, robust χ2 = 40.95). Among inflammatory indices, only the SII was positively associated with hair cortisol as one indicator of chronic stress (β = 0.18, p < 0.05). Direct and indirect pathways from chronic stress and systemic inflammation to cortical thickness or hippocampal volume were non-significant. In exploratory analysis, the SII was inversely related to mean cortical thickness. Our results emphasize the importance of considering the multidimensionality of systemic inflammation and chronic stress, with various indicators that may represent different aspects of the systemic reaction. We conclude that inflammation and glucocorticoid-mediated neurodegeneration indicated by IL-6 and hs-CRP and HCC and HEC may only emerge during advanced ageing and disorder processes, still the SII could be a promising candidate for detecting associations between inflammation and neurodegeneration in younger and healthy samples. Future work should examine these pathways in prospective longitudinal designs, for which the present investigation serves as a baseline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K. Schaefer
- Cognitive Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
| | - Veronika Engert
- Research Group “Social Stress and Family Health”, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Jena University Clinic, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Sofie L. Valk
- Otto Hahn Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, FZ Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tania Singer
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lara M.C. Puhlmann
- Research Group “Social Stress and Family Health”, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany
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May AK, Smeeth D, McEwen F, Moghames P, Karam E, Rieder MJ, Elzagallaai AA, van Uum S, Pluess M. Hair hormone data from Syrian refugee children: Perspectives from a two-year longitudinal study. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2024; 18:100231. [PMID: 38645423 PMCID: PMC11026725 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
For numerous issues of convenience and acceptability, hair hormone data have been increasingly incorporated in the field of war trauma and forced displacement, allowing retrospective examination of several biological metrics thought to covary with refugees' mental health. As a relatively new research method, however, there remain several complexities and uncertainties surrounding the use of hair hormones, from initial hair sampling to final statistical analysis, many of which are underappreciated in the extant literature, and restrict the potential utility of hair hormones. To promote awareness, we provide a narrative overview of our experiences collecting and analyzing hair hormone data in a large cohort of Syrian refugee children (n = 1594), across two sampling waves spaced 12 months apart. We highlight both the challenges faced, and the promising results obtained thus far, and draw comparisons to other prominent studies in this field. Recommendations are provided to future researchers, with emphasis on longitudinal study designs, thorough collection and reporting of hair-related variables, and careful adherence to current laboratory guidelines and practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K. May
- Department of Psychological Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Demelza Smeeth
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Fiona McEwen
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Department of War Studies, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Elie Karam
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Balamand University, St Georges Hospital University Medical Center, Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC), Lebanon
| | - Michael J. Rieder
- Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Abdelbaset A. Elzagallaai
- Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Stan van Uum
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Pluess
- Department of Psychological Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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4
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Littler EAL, Ferro MA. Comment on "Associations between chronic stress and hair cortisol in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis". J Affect Disord 2024; 348:364-366. [PMID: 38176448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.12.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma A L Littler
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Mark A Ferro
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
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Nyengaard R, Kallesøe KH, Rimvall MK, Ørnbøl E, Wellnitz KB, Olsen EM, Wyller VBB, Rask CU. Hair cortisol and self-perceived stress in adolescents with multi-system functional somatic disorders. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:101. [PMID: 38317120 PMCID: PMC10840144 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05518-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term stress causing altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dynamics with cortisol dysfunction may be involved in the pathophysiology of functional somatic disorders (FSD), but studies on adolescents with multi-system FSD are lacking. Therefore, we investigated: 1) whether hair cortisol concentration (HCC) differentiates adolescents with multi-system FSD from a) a population-based sample and b) a subgroup derived from the sample reporting a high physical symptom load, and 2) whether FSD population HCC is associated with primary symptom presentations and self-perceived stress. METHODS We used data from a clinical sample with multi-system FSD (N = 91, age 15-19 years) and a population-based sample (N = 1,450, age 16-17 years) including a subgroup with top 10% total scores on physical symptoms (N = 147). Density plots and multiple linear regression were applied to compare HCC between groups. In the clinical sample, multiple linear regression was employed to assess the association between HCC and primary symptom clusters and self-perceived stress. RESULTS Median HCC was lower in the clinical sample than in the population-based sample (β = 0.80 (95%CI: 0.66, 0.97)), but not significantly different from median HCC in the derived subgroup (β = 0.84 (95%CI: 0.66, 1.07)). In the clinical sample, HCC was not significantly associated with primary symptom clusters (F(2, 82) = 0.13, p = 0.88) or self-perceived stress (F(4, 83) = 1.18, p = 0.33). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that HCC is lowered in adolescents with multi-system FSD but not significantly associated with primary symptom presentations or self-perceived stress. Future studies including multiple measures of HPA axis dynamics alongside psychological measures may further elucidate the role of long-term stress in FSD. TRIAL REGISTRATION The AHEAD study was pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02346071), 26/01/2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Nyengaard
- Research Unit Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 175, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Incuba Skejby, building 2, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Karen Hansen Kallesøe
- Research Unit Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 175, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark.
| | - Martin Køster Rimvall
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Kildegaardsvej 28, Entrance 3A, 1st Floor, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Ny Østergade 12, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Eva Ørnbøl
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Incuba Skejby, building 2, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
| | - Kaare Bro Wellnitz
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Incuba Skejby, building 2, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
| | - Else Marie Olsen
- Centre for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Ndr. Fasanvej 57, 1st Floor, Building 14, 2000, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Psychiatric Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Maglevænget 2, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Vegard Bruun Bratholm Wyller
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Postboks 1000, 1478, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, P.O box 1171, 0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Charlotte Ulrikka Rask
- Research Unit Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 175, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Incuba Skejby, building 2, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
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6
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Li Y, Jia W, Yan N, Hua Y, Han T, Yang J, Ma L, Ma L. Associations between chronic stress and hair cortisol in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2023; 329:438-447. [PMID: 36868386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review systematically examined the associations between chronic stress and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in children, and the potential modification effects of type, measurement period and scales of chronic stress, child age and sex, hair length and HCC measurement method, characteristics of study site, and congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC. METHODS Pubmed, Wed of Science, and APA PsycINFO were systematically searched for articles examining the association between chronic stress and HCC. RESULTS Thirteen studies from five countries with 1,455 participants were included in the systematic review and nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that chronic stress was associated with HCC (pooled-r = 0.09, 95 % CI: 0.03, 0.16). Stratified analyses revealed that type, measurement time and scales of chronic stress, hair length and measurement method of HCC, and the congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC modified such correlations. The positive correlations between chronic stress and HCC were significant for studies measuring chronic stress as stressful life events, assessing chronic stress within the past six months, extracting HCC from 1 cm, 3 cm, or 6 cm of hair, measuring HCC by LC-MS/MS, or having congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC. The potential modifying effects of sex and country developmental status could not be concluded due to the limited number of studies included. CONCLUSIONS Chronic stress was positively correlated with HCC, varying by characteristics and measurements of chronic stress and HCC. HCC could be a biomarker for chronic stress among children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wanru Jia
- Department of Disease Prevention and Control, Xi 'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Yan
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yiming Hua
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tuo Han
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Lu Ma
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Le Ma
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, China.
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Keeton VF, Bell JF, Drake C, Fernandez Y Garcia EO, Pantell M, Hessler D, Wing H, Silveira PP, O'Donnell KJ, de Mendonça Filho EJ, Meaney MJ, Gottlieb LM. Household Social Needs, Emotional Functioning, and Stress in Low-Income Latinx Children and their Mothers. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2023; 32:796-811. [PMID: 37143480 PMCID: PMC10156014 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-023-02532-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Latinx families may be particularly vulnerable to emotional dysfunction, due to higher rates of economic hardship and complex social influences in this population. Little is known about the impact of environmental stressors such as unmet social needs and maternal stress on the emotional health of Latinx children from low-income families. We conducted secondary analyses using survey and biomarker data from 432 Latinx children and mothers collected in a separate study. We used binomial and multinomial logistic regression to test if household social needs, or maternal perceived stress or hair cortisol concentration (HCC), predicted child measures of emotional functioning or child HCC, independent of relevant sociodemographic factors. Approximately 40% of children in the sample had symptoms consistent with emotional dysfunction, and over 37% of households reported five or more social needs. High perceived maternal stress predicted higher odds of child emotional dysfunction (OR = 2.15; 95% CI [1.14, 4.04]; p = 0.01), and high maternal HCC was positively associated with high child HCC (OR = 10.60; 95% CI [4.20, 26.74]; p < 0.01). Most individual household social needs, as well as the level of household social need, were not independently associated with child emotional dysfunction or child HCC. Our findings begin to define a framework for understanding emotional health, stress, and resilience when caring for Latinx children and mothers living with high levels of social need, and the need for integrated mental health and social needs screening and interventions in settings that serve this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria F Keeton
- Corresponding Author: V.F. Keeton, University of California, San Francisco, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, Box 2930, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143
- University of California, Davis, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, 2450 48 St., Sacramento, CA, USA 95817
| | - Janice F Bell
- University of California, Davis, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, 2450 48 St., Sacramento, CA, USA 95817
| | - Christiana Drake
- University of California, Davis, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, 2450 48 St., Sacramento, CA, USA 95817
- University of California, Davis, Department of Statistics, 4101 Mathematical Sciences Bldg., Davis, CA, USA 95616
| | - Erik O Fernandez Y Garcia
- University of California, Davis, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, 2450 48 St., Sacramento, CA, USA 95817
- University of California, Davis, Department of Pediatrics, 2521 Stockton Blvd, Suite 2200, Sacramento, CA, USA 95817
| | - Matthew Pantell
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Pediatrics, 3333 California Street, Box 0848, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143
| | - Danielle Hessler
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Family and Community Medicine, 500 Parnassus Ave, Box 0900, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143
| | - Holly Wing
- University of California, San Francisco, Center for Health and Community, 3333 California St., Box 0844, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143
| | - Patricia P Silveira
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Douglas Research Center, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle Montreal, Québec, CA H4H1R3
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kieran J O'Donnell
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Douglas Research Center, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle Montreal, Québec, CA H4H1R3
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Yale Child Study Center & Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Rd., New Haven, CT, USA 06519
| | - Euclides José de Mendonça Filho
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Douglas Research Center, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle Montreal, Québec, CA H4H1R3
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Douglas Research Center, McGill University, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle Montreal, Québec, CA H4H1R3
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), 1 Fusionopolis Way, #20-10, Singapore, Republic of Singapore 138632
| | - Laura M Gottlieb
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Family and Community Medicine, 500 Parnassus Ave, Box 0900, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143
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Rodríguez-Rabassa M, Torres-Marrero E, López P, Muniz-Rodriguez K, Borges-Rodríguez M, Appleton AA, Avilés-Santa L, Alvarado-Domenech LI. Stressors and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vulnerable Hispanic Caregivers and Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1838. [PMID: 36767218 PMCID: PMC9914744 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Psychological sequelae are important elements of the burden of disease among caregivers. Recognition of the impact of adversity and stress biomarkers is important to prevent mental health problems that affect rearing practices and child well-being. This cross-sectional study explored social determinants of health (SDoH)-mediated stressors during COVID-19 and risks for mental health problems among caregivers of children with prenatal Zika virus exposure. Twenty-five Hispanic caregivers completed surveys assessing SDoH vulnerabilities, COVID-exposures and impact, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, and provided a hair sample for cortisol concentration (HCC). Most caregivers had low education, household income < $15,000/year, and were unemployed. Stressors included disrupted child education and specialized services, and food insecurity. While most reported PTSD symptomatology, multivariate linear regression models adjusted for the caregiver's age, education, and the child's sex, revealed that caregivers with high symptomatology had significantly lower HCC than those with low symptomatology and those with food insecurity had significantly higher HCC than participants without food insecurity. The impact of COVID-19 on daily life was characterized on average between worse and better, suggesting variability in susceptibility and coping mechanisms, with the most resilient identifying community support and spirituality resources. SDoH-mediators provide opportunities to prevent adverse mental health outcomes for caregivers and their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa
- Clinical Psychology Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
- RCMI Center for Research Resources, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
| | - Estefanía Torres-Marrero
- Clinical Psychology Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
| | - Pablo López
- RCMI Center for Research Resources, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
| | | | | | - Allison A. Appleton
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany School of Public Health, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Larissa Avilés-Santa
- Division of Clinical and Health Services Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 800, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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9
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Wettstein A, Schneider S, Jenni G, Holtforth MG, Tschacher W, La Marca R. Association between workaholism, vital exhaustion, and hair cortisol concentrations among teachers: A longitudinal study testing the moderation effect of neuroticism. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1046573. [PMID: 36591097 PMCID: PMC9797672 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1046573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Workaholism in teachers is characterized by the willingness to work until exhausted and may be associated with various adverse health outcomes as well as high economic costs. The present study examines the association between workaholism, vital exhaustion (VE), and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as indicators of chronic stress. In addition, this study explores the moderating role of the personality trait neuroticism on the relationship between workaholism and chronic stress indicators, i.e., VE and HCC. Methods Forty-two Swiss teachers (28 females; M age = 39.66, SD = 11.99) completed questionnaires assessing VE (Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire), workaholism (Measure of Coping Capacity Questionnaire), and neuroticism (Big-Five Inventory). Together with VE, HCC was assessed twice, with a one year lag. Results Both workaholism and neuroticism were positively associated with VE at both time points but not with HCC. Moderation analyses revealed a positive relationship between workaholism and VE in teachers with high neuroticism, while no such association was observed in teachers with low neuroticism. No associations were found between self-reports and HCC. Discussion These findings emphasize the importance of considering individual characteristics when investigating VE. Further research is necessary to investigate the applicability of HCC as a biomarker of chronic stress in the context of work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wettstein
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland,*Correspondence: Alexander Wettstein,
| | - Sandra Schneider
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland,Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Jenni
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin grosse Holtforth
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland,Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Tschacher
- Experimental Psychology Division, University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roberto La Marca
- Department of Research and Development, University of Teacher Education Bern, Bern, Switzerland,Centre for Stress-Related Disorders, Clinica Holistica Engiadina, Susch, Switzerland,Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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10
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Chen Y, Petzold M, Rüetschi U, Dahlstrand J, Löfstedt P, Corell M, Friberg P. Hair glucocorticoid concentration, self-perceived stress and their associations with cardiometabolic risk markers in Swedish adolescents. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 146:105908. [PMID: 36054941 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While hair cortisol is proposed as a biomarker for chronic stress and a possible mediator linking chronic stress and cardiovascular risk in adults, studies in adolescents are scarce. We explored the associations between self-perceived stress, hair cortisol (HairF) and cortisone (HairE), and cardiometabolic risk markers in adolescents. Further, we examined whether association between self-perceived stress and HairF may depend on the use of the coping strategies "shift-persist". METHODS Participants were 7th grade pupils recruited to the STudy of Adolescence Resilience and Stress (STARS) and data from the baseline examinations were used. Adolescents (n = 1553, 26 % boys, Mage=13.6, SD = 0.4) completed questionnaires assessing perceived stress and coping strategies "shift-persist", provided hair sample, and examined for cardiometabolic risk factors including waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) z-score, blood pressure, and white blood cell counts (WBC). HairF and HairE were analysed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. We conducted descriptive analyses (Student's t-test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, Chi-square test) and linear regression analyses. RESULTS Perceived stress was not associated with HairF, neither had the use of coping strategies "shift-persist" any influence on this association. Both HairF and HairE were positively associated with BMI z-score (beta coefficients (β): 0.178 (p < 0.001) and 0.119 (p < 0.001) for boys; 0.123 (p < 0.001) and 0.089 (p < 0.01) for girls) and WC (β: 0.089 (p > 0.05) and 0.098 (p < 0.05) for boys; 0.103 (p < 0.01) and 0.076 (p < 0.05) for girls). Perceived stress was also positively associated with BMI z-score and WC. Perceived stress, but not HairF, remained associated with WC in boys (β = 0.200, p < 0.001) in the models with HairF and perceived stress presented simultaneously. Modest association between HairE and WBC was found in boys (β = 0.149, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The study supports the association between chronic stress and overweight/obesity in adolescents. Hair cortisol and self-perceived stress capture different aspects of how chronic stress is related to overweight/obesity in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Max Petzold
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Rüetschi
- Department of Clinial Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Johan Dahlstrand
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Petra Löfstedt
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Maria Corell
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Peter Friberg
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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11
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Michaud DS, Thomson EM, van Oosterhout P, McNamee JP. Hair cortisol as a viable tool for the assessment of an association between environmental noise exposure and chronic stress. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 152:866. [PMID: 36050175 DOI: 10.1121/10.0012887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Entrenched in the well-established link between stress and health, noise exposure as a potential contributor to stress-related health effects receives tremendous attention. Indeed, exposure to noise can act as a stressor as evidenced through increased heart rate, blood pressure, adrenaline, epinephrine, and cortisol. Cortisol is secreted from the adrenal glands in response to stressor-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. For assessment of environmental noise and stress, repeated sampling in blood, saliva, or urine is necessary to evaluate the association between environmental noise exposure and protracted changes in cortisol. Controlling for the many variables that influence the secretion of cortisol at discrete sampling intervals is challenging. Studies suggest that systemically produced cortisol integrates and remains in hair as it grows, providing a measure that integrates a cortisol response over a longer period, circumventing several limitations associated with multiple sampling. Robust evidence supports the integration of cortisol into hair, yet recent studies call into question the notion that cortisol is retained with growth. The current paper discusses the strengths and limitations of hair cortisol analysis with an emphasis on its utility as a measure of chronic stress in environmental noise studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Michaud
- Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1C1, Canada
| | - Errol M Thomson
- Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Priya van Oosterhout
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - James P McNamee
- Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1C1, Canada
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12
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Whitney S, Bedard C, Mielke J, Browne DT, Ferro MA. Do subjective and objective measures of stress agree in a clinical sample of youth and their parents? COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 11:100155. [PMID: 35864882 PMCID: PMC9294048 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored agreement and potential relationships among perceived stress (self-reported using the Perceived Stress Scale), hair cortisol concentration (HCC), and mental disorders in a clinical sample of youth and their parents. Data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 48 youth (38 females; mean age = 15.6 years) with a mental disorder and 72 parents (65 females; mean age = 45.49 years). Agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients. Multiple regression was used to model the association between covariates and HCC and perceived stress for youth and parents. Agreement between perceived stress and HCC was low for both youth and parents (ICC = 0.15 to 0.31). Among youth, lower income (β = 0.24) and parent psychopathology (β = 0.42) were associated with higher HCC. Female sex (β = 0.42) and higher parent psychopathology (β = 0.28) were associated with higher perceived stress, whereas chronic physical illness was associated with lower perceived stress (β = -0.24). Among parents, female sex (β = -0.21) was associated with lower HCC and family functioning (β = 0.46) was associated with higher perceived stress. In youth, higher HCC was associated with generalized anxiety (OR = 1.14) and higher perceived stress was associated with major depressive episode (OR = 1.33), generalized anxiety (OR = 1.10), and separation anxiety (OR = 1.14). Among parents, higher HCC was associated with depression (β = 0.27) and perceived stress was associated with depression (β = 0.53) and anxiety (β = 0.45). This exploratory study shows that agreement between psychological and physiological stress is low in a clinical sample of youth and their parents. Sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, and mental health, are differentially associated with psychological and physiological stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Whitney
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Chloe Bedard
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada
| | - John Mielke
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Dillon T. Browne
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Mark A. Ferro
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada
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13
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Scalp hair sweating as a predictor of hair cortisol level in human compared to obesity and other confounders. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24160. [PMID: 34921159 PMCID: PMC8683402 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02223-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Inconsistent results were found throughout the literature regarding factors affecting hair cortisol levels. Hair cortisol level in humans was not studied for its associations to scalp hair sweating or hair wash frequency in a patient-based way. Factors affecting hair cortisol levels must be precisely known in order to interpret the results correctly. The aims of the study are to assess if BMI, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), hair wash frequency, and sweating with scalp hair affect hair cortisol levels. It will assess which of these factors are more significant predictors of hair cortisol levels. In a study on healthy adults, information about history, socio-demographics, PSS, hair wash frequency, hair treatment, and scalp hair sweating were collected, and hair samples were taken and analyzed for their hair cortisol level. Associations of hair cortisol levels with each of the variables were investigated and significant predictors of hair cortisol levels among the variables were found. Mean hair cortisol level in the study participants was 16.84 pg/mg hair. Hair cortisol has a significant positive association with weight, BMI, PSS, and scalp hair sweating, p < 0.05. Scalp hair sweating significantly predicts hair cortisol levels by 12.3%, while other variables did not significantly predict hair cortisol levels, p < 0.05. Scalp hair sweating significantly predicts hair cortisol levels. Age, hair wash frequency, hair treatment, and stressful events have no associations with hair cortisol levels. Although BMI and PSS are associated with hair cortisol levels, they do not significantly predict it. Obesity is significantly associated with profuse sweating, thus the increase in hair cortisol levels in obese individuals could partly be the result of a higher incidence of sweating in these individuals. Thus, scalp hair sweating should be taken into consideration during the study and interpretation of hair cortisol levels.
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14
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Verheyen VJ, Remy S, Govarts E, Colles A, Koppen G, Martin LR, Nielsen F, Bruckers L, Bijnens EM, Vos S, Morrens B, Coertjens D, Loots I, De Decker A, Franken C, Den Hond E, Nelen V, De Henauw S, Covaci A, Van Larebeke N, Teughels C, Nawrot TS, Schoeters G. Determinants of Chronic Biological Stress, Measured as Hair Cortisol Concentration, in a General Population of Adolescents: From Individual and Household Characteristics to Neighborhood Urbanicity. Front Public Health 2021; 9:669022. [PMID: 34888272 PMCID: PMC8650704 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.669022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic biological stress may adversely affect adolescents' physical and mental health, but insight in the personal and environmental factors that determine chronic stress is limited. We measured 3-month cumulative hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in 419 adolescents, participating in the Flemish Environment and Health Study. Adolescents' health and lifestyle characteristics, household and neighborhood socio-economic status as well as neighborhood urbanicity were assessed as potential determinants of HCC, using multiple linear regression models. We additionally explored heterogeneity of our results by sex. HCC were significantly higher in boys from densely populated neighborhoods, the association was not significant in girls. Accordingly, boys living outside cities had significantly lower HCC than boys, living in cities. HCC was significantly lower in adolescents with an optimal vitality, a measure of a positive mental health status. In adolescent girls, menarcheal status (pre-/postmenarche) was a significant determinant of HCC. Our findings are the first to suggest that residential urbanicity may have an impact on chronic biological stress in a general population of adolescent boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veerle J Verheyen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ann Colles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Flemming Nielsen
- Institute of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- I-BioStat, Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Stijn Vos
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bert Morrens
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dries Coertjens
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilse Loots
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annelies De Decker
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Provincial Research Centre for Environment and Health, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Franken
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Provincial Research Centre for Environment and Health, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Provincial Research Centre for Environment and Health, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vera Nelen
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Provincial Research Centre for Environment and Health, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Van Larebeke
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Radiotherapy and Experimental Cancerology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline Teughels
- Flemish Planning Bureau for the Environment and Spatial Development, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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15
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Torrecilla P, Barrantes-Vidal N. Examining the Relationship Between Hair Cortisol With Stress-Related and Transdiagnostic Subclinical Measures. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:746155. [PMID: 34858226 PMCID: PMC8631911 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.746155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) provide a retrospective examination of long-term cortisol production as a measure of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, one of the major neural systems implicated in mediating the effects of stress on mental illness. However, evidence about the relationship between HCC with stressors and symptoms is scattered. In the present study, we aimed to examine the association between HCC and a wide range of stress-related and transdiagnostic subclinical measures in a sample of non-clinical young adults with a wide distribution of schizotypy. Methods: A total sample of 132 non-clinical young adults recruited at college and technical schools oversampled for schizotypy scores were assessed on distal and proximal stressful experiences, appraisals of stress, traits and symptoms of the affective, psychosis and dissociation spectrums, as well as stress-buffering measures, and provided 3 cm-hair samples. Results: No significant associations were found between HCC and any of the stress-related and subclinical measures. Only suspiciousness and disorganization showed a trend for a positive association with HCC but the magnitude was small. Conclusions: The present findings support previous studies indicating an overall lack of concordance between a broad range of stress-related and (sub)clinical phenotypic measures with hair cortisol. This study examined for the first time the relationship of HCC with the non-clinical expression of the psychosis spectrum, that is, schizotypy, which complements previous studies on clinical high risk and established psychosis and offers a promising strategy for studying possible HPA dysfunctions characterizing the subclinical psychosis continuum without the confounds associated to clinical psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Torrecilla
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Edifici B, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Edifici B, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Salut Mental, Sant Pere Claver—Fundació Sanitària, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
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16
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Schmid-Zalaudek K, Fredriksen PM, Fabiani E, Fredriksen MV, Brix B, Rössler A, Jantscher A, Goswami N. Children's hair cortisol and hair testosterone concentrations in response to environmental changes: from summer holidays to school. Stress 2021; 24:998-1007. [PMID: 34842033 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1985107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated hair cortisol concentrations in children have been linked to several stress-related conditions, including school-related demands. However, little is known about changes in hair testosterone in children. The present study investigated changes in hair cortisol and hair testosterone concentrations in the time course of four months - from summer holidays until mid of autumn of the following school year - in 60, 10-12-year-old (11.31 ± 0.63) school children (29 girls). Children's mental health was assessed by the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) and related to hair cortisol and hair testosterone levels. Body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, and parental education were evaluated as potential confounders. In girls, the expected increase of hair cortisol concentrations was observed during school as compared to summer holidays, partly accounted for by peer- and emotional problems and the increase of HTC. In boys, hair cortisol and testosterone concentrations were significantly higher. Hair cortisol increased only slightly, while hair testosterone decreased significantly during school. The findings suggest a reciprocal influence of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, differentially affecting girls' and boys' hormone production in response to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Schmid-Zalaudek
- Physiology Division, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Ester Fabiani
- Alma Mater Europaea, Maribor, Slovenia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Bianca Brix
- Physiology Division, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Rössler
- Physiology Division, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Jantscher
- Physiology Division, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Physiology Division, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Alma Mater Europaea, Maribor, Slovenia
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17
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Almási G, Bosnyák E, Móra Á, Zsákai A, Fehér PV, Annár D, Nagy N, Sziráki Z, Kemper HCG, Szmodis M. Physiological and Psychological Responses to a Maximal Swimming Exercise Test in Adolescent Elite Athletes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179270. [PMID: 34501859 PMCID: PMC8430462 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Continuously rising performances in elite adolescent athletes requires increasing training loads. This training overload without professional monitoring, could lead to overtraining in these adolescents. METHODS 31 elite adolescent athletes (boys: n = 19, 16 yrs; girls: n = 12, 15 yrs) participated in a field-test which contained a unified warm-up and a 200 m maximal freestyle swimming test. Saliva samples for testosterone (T) in boys, estradiol (E) in girls and cortisol (C) in both genders were collected pre-, post- and 30 min post-exercise. Lactate levels were obtained pre- and post-exercise. Brunel Mood Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and psychosomatic symptoms questionnaires were filled out post-exercise. RESULTS Lactate levels differed between genders (boys: pre: 1.01 ± 0.26; post: 8.19 ± 3.24; girls: pre: 0.74 ± 0.23; post: 5.83 ± 2.48 mmol/L). C levels increased significantly in boys: pre- vs. post- (p = 0.009), pre- vs. 30 min post-exercise (p = 0.003). The T level (p = 0.0164) and T/C ratio (p = 0.0004) decreased after field test which draws attention to the possibility of overtraining. Maximal and resting heart rates did not differ between genders; however, heart rate recovery did (boys: 29.22 ± 7.4; girls: 40.58 ± 14.50 beats/min; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Our models can be used to explain the hormonal ratio changes (37.5-89.8%). Based on the results this method can induce hormonal response in elite adolescent athletes and can be used to notice irregularities with repeated measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Almási
- Department of Health Science and Sports Medicine, University of Physical Education, 1123 Budapest, Hungary; (E.B.); (Z.S.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-30-446-9312
| | - Edit Bosnyák
- Department of Health Science and Sports Medicine, University of Physical Education, 1123 Budapest, Hungary; (E.B.); (Z.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Ákos Móra
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Annamária Zsákai
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.Z.); (P.V.F.); (D.A.)
| | - Piroska V. Fehér
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.Z.); (P.V.F.); (D.A.)
| | - Dorina Annár
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.Z.); (P.V.F.); (D.A.)
| | - Nikoletta Nagy
- Department of Swimming and Water Sports, University of Physical Education, 1123 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Zsófia Sziráki
- Department of Health Science and Sports Medicine, University of Physical Education, 1123 Budapest, Hungary; (E.B.); (Z.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Han C. G. Kemper
- EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Márta Szmodis
- Department of Health Science and Sports Medicine, University of Physical Education, 1123 Budapest, Hungary; (E.B.); (Z.S.); (M.S.)
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18
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Busch JR, Wang X, Lynnerup N, Jacobsen C, Jørgensen MB, Linnet K, Johansen SS, Banner J. Hair cortisol concentrations in decedents with severe mental illness – An autopsy-based cohort study. FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL: REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2021.100173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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19
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Lee SH, Baldina E, Lee E, Youm Y. Social connectedness and hair cortisol in community-dwelling older adults. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2021; 6:100053. [PMID: 35757361 PMCID: PMC9216631 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Ha Lee
- Center for Interdisciplinary Approaches on Aging, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ekaterina Baldina
- Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoosik Youm
- Center for Interdisciplinary Approaches on Aging, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Ouellet-Morin I, Cantave C, Lupien S, Geoffroy MC, Brendgen M, Vitaro F, Tremblay R, Boivin M, Côté S. Cumulative exposure to socioeconomic and psychosocial adversity and hair cortisol concentration: A longitudinal study from 5 months to 17 years of age. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 126:105153. [PMID: 33524888 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to early adversity has been associated with long-lasting risks for poor health and functioning. Prior research suggests that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and its main end-product glucocorticoid hormone cortisol, may be at play. This study tested whether an index of cumulative socioeconomic and psychosocial adversity assessed prospectively, from infancy to adolescence, was associated with hair cortisol concentration (HCC), and if this association differed by sex. METHODS The sample comprised 556 adolescents (42.0% males) who provided hair for cortisol measurement at 17 years of age. Adversity indicators (young and single motherhood, low socioeconomic status (SES), maternal alcohol use, hostile-reactive parenting, and depressive symptoms, as well as peer victimization and neighborhood dangerousness) were repeatedly reported by mothers or youths between the ages of 5 months and 15 years. RESULTS Chronic adversity was non-linearly associated with HCC; youth exposed to lower and higher levels of adversity had moderate-to-higher HCC compared to lower HCC noted in participants with moderate levels of adversity, for both males and females. None of the indicators taken separately, except the perception of neighborhood dangerousness, were significantly associated with HCC. CONCLUSION Our findings support the hypothesis that HPA axis activity varies according to cumulative adversity, albeit non-linearly, which may bear consequences for later health and functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Ouellet-Morin
- School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada.
| | | | - Sonia Lupien
- Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada; Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Geoffroy
- Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mara Brendgen
- Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Richard Tremblay
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada; Department of Pediatrics and Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michel Boivin
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Sylvana Côté
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada; INSERM U1219, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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21
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DePasquale CE, Tyrell FA, Kalstabakken AW, Labella MH, Thibodeau EL, Masten AS, Barnes AJ. Lifetime stressors, hair cortisol, and executive function: Age-related associations in childhood. Dev Psychobiol 2020; 63:1043-1052. [PMID: 33350468 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22076] [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] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Extant research is mixed regarding the relations among lifetime exposure to stressors, adrenocortical activity, and executive function (EF), particularly in children. Aggregate measures of adrenocortical activity like hair cortisol concentration (HCC), timing of stress exposure, and age at assessment may clarify these associations. This cross-sectional study examined the association among parent-reported exposure to stressors, hair cortisol concentration (HCC), and children's EF via a tablet task in a community sample (n = 318, 52.5% female) of children across a wide age range (4-13 years, M = 9.4, SD = 2.3). Path analyses revealed that parent-reported child lifetime exposure to stressors, but not past-year stressful life events, negatively predicted HCC. There was also a marginally significant moderation by age such that HCC was associated negatively with EF for younger children (age < 9.7 years) but not older children. HCC did not significantly mediate the association between lifetime exposure to stressors and EF. Findings are consistent with the proposition that chronically high cortisol production has a neurotoxic effect on brain regions supporting EF. However, lifetime exposure to stressors predicted relatively lower cumulative cortisol production, consistent with a stress inoculation effect in this normative-risk sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie E DePasquale
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Fanita A Tyrell
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Amanda W Kalstabakken
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Madelyn H Labella
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Eric L Thibodeau
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ann S Masten
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Andrew J Barnes
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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22
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Ferro MA, Gonzalez A. Hair cortisol concentration mediates the association between parent and child psychopathology. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 114:104613. [PMID: 32088544 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Parent and child mental health are strongly associated and this association may be transmitted via disruption to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in children. This study examined the potential mediating role of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in the association between parent psychopathology and child mental disorder. Data come from 100 children diagnosed with a mental disorder [major depression (66 %), generalized anxiety (58 %), attention-deficit hyperactivity (33 %), oppositional defiant (35 %)] and their parents. Parent psychopathology was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Child mental disorder was measured using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and hair samples were assayed using high-sensitivity ELISA for cortisol extraction. Sex-specific path models were specified to estimate mediating effects (αβ). Children were, on average, 14.4 (SD 2.3) years of age and 70 % were girls. Adjusting for child age, parent sex, and family income, HCC mediated the association between symptoms of parent psychopathology and major depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity in all children (αβ ranging -0.07 to 0.19; 38-46 % effect mediated). Mediating effects for generalized anxiety and opposition defiant were evident for boys only (αβ ranging -0.26 to 0.14; 31-38 % effect mediated). Evidence suggests HCC partially mediates the association between parent psychopathology and child mental disorder, and for generalized anxiety and oppositional defiant, this effect is specific to boys. Family inventions to reduce child stress may be effective in buffering the consequences of parent psychopathology. Further research that considers sex effects is needed to clarify how HCC conditions risk for mental disorder in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Ferro
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Canada.
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada
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