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Intergenerational predictors of diurnal cortisol secretion in early childhood
Author(s) -
BenDat Fisher Dahlia,
Serbin Lisa A.,
Stack Dale M.,
Ruttle Paula L.,
Ledingham Jane E.,
Schwartzman Alex E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
infant and child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.87
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1522-7219
pISSN - 1522-7227
DOI - 10.1002/icd.474
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , multilevel model , early childhood , cortisol awakening response , longitudinal study , circadian rhythm , hydrocortisone , endocrinology , medicine , machine learning , neuroscience , computer science , statistics , mathematics
The present study examined potential intergenerational links that may contribute to atypical patterns of diurnal cortisol secretion in early childhood. Salivary cortisol samples were collected across 1 waking day in 36 pre‐school children whose mothers are participants in an ongoing longitudinal project. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) identified statistically significant predictors of individual differences in daily cortisol trajectories. Children displayed relatively low post‐awakening values and flatter cortisol trajectories across the day as a function of unsupportive maternal behaviour, second‐hand smoke and maternal histories of social withdrawal in childhood. These results suggest that individual differences in young children's pattern of diurnal cortisol are associated with a variety of current and historical maternal characteristics and behaviours. The identification of intergenerational predictors of children's diurnal neuroendocrine functioning may provide new insights into the transfer of health and developmental risk from parent to child. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.