High self-esteem, hardiness and affective stability are associated with higher basal pituitary-adrenal hormone levels.
Whereas much is known about the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during environmental stress and in psychiatric disorders, little is known about the relation of individual differences in basal HPA-functioning to individual differences in healthy psychological functioning. In the present study, we recruited 37 healthy young men and examined the relations of hardiness, self-esteem and hypomanic personality--dispositions that moderate the effects of psychosocial stress on depressive reactions and health--to circulating levels of cortisol and beta-endorphin at rest. High self-esteem, hardiness and affective stability were associated with higher plasma cortisol levels and less psychological distress. Additionally, affective stability was associated with higher levels of beta-endorphin. The present findings suggest that individual differences in basal HPA-function are associated with individual differences in psychological functioning following stress.
Zorrilla
E P
EP
Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA. zorrilla@cattell.psych.upenn.edu
DeRubeis
R J
RJ
Redei
E
E
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012649:Self Concept; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood
D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006854:Hydrocortisone