Premium
Neuroendocrine coupling across adolescence and the longitudinal influence of early life stress
Author(s) -
Ruttle Paula L.,
Shirtcliff Elizabeth A.,
Armstrong Jeffrey M.,
Klein Marjorie H.,
Essex Marilyn J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.21138
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , moderation , testosterone (patch) , coupling (piping) , dehydroepiandrosterone , cortisol awakening response , endocrinology , medicine , hydrocortisone , hormone , androgen , social psychology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Drawing on conceptual models illustrating the advantages of a multisystemic, interactive, developmental approach to understanding development, the present study examines the covariation of stress and sex hormones across the adolescent transition and the effect of early life stress (ELS) on neuroendocrine coupling to gain insight into atypical development. Morning levels of cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were assessed at ages 11, 13, and 15; ELS was assessed during the infancy and preschool periods. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that cortisol‐DHEA coupling patterns progressed to tight, positive coupling across adolescence. Cortisol‐testosterone coupling was positive at age 11 but became more negative at ages 13 and 15. Exposure to ELS resulted in more adultlike neuroendocrine coupling patterns earlier in life than non‐exposed youth; however the effect of ELS on cortisol‐testosterone coupling was unique to girls. Results illustrate trajectories of neuroendocrine coupling that may be unique to adolescence. Moderation by ELS suggests that early stress exposure may prompt earlier adultlike neuroendocrine coupling, particularly within girls, which may contribute to early pubertal development . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc . Dev Psychobiol 57: 688–704, 2015.