Exploring the link between gender, sensation seeking, and family history of alcoholism in cortisol stress-response dampening

Many studies have demonstrated an inverse association between cortisol and risk-taking behaviors, with high-sensation seekers (HSS) showing lower cortisol levels. We investigated the potential link between sensation seeking (SS) and stress-induced stress responses, as well as alcohol-induced stress-response-dampening (SRD) effects in cortisol. First, we hypothesized that HSS would show inverse SRD effects in cortisol. Second, we hypothesized that females would display similar SRD effects to males. Third, we hypothesized an independent relationship between SS and family history (FH) with regard to alcohol-induced SRD effects in cortisol. 86 healthy men and women participated in two laboratory sessions, receiving alcohol in one of the two. Experimental stress paradigms were administered and serum cortisol was measured. SRD effects in cortisol developed for both genders in low-sensation seekers (LSS), but not in HSS. This study contributes to current literature by (1) supporting the association between SS and cortisol, (2) demonstrating that SRD effects in cortisol of females is inversely related to SS, and (3) demonstrating an independent relationship between SS and FH with regard to alcohol-induced SRD effects in cortisol. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.