Journal
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
Volume 66, Issue -, Pages 31-38Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.12.018
Keywords
Hypocortisolism; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; Orphanage; Early adversity; Problem behavior; Adoption
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Funding
- National Institute of Mental Health [R01 MH080905, P50 MH078105, T32 MH015755, T32 MH018921]
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The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is influenced by early life adversity; however, less is known about the potential for recovery following marked improvements in care. The present study examined longitudinal changes in children's cortisol reactivity in the laboratory (4 assessments over 2 years) after adoption. Post-institutionalized (N=65) and post-foster care children (N=49) demonstrated blunted reactivity relative to non-adopted peers (N=53). Furthermore, post-institutionalized children exhibited no evidence of expected adaptation to repeated sessions in the 2 years following adoption. As evidenced by blunted cortisol reactivity, flatter diurnal slope, and lower home morning cortisol, we found support for hypocortisolism among children experiencing adverse early care. Hypocortisolism served as a mediator between adversity and teacher-reported attention and externalizing problems during kindergarten. Early adversity appears to contribute to the down-regulation of the HPA axis under both basal and stress conditions. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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