title: Effects of childhood experiences on cortisol levels in depressed adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of childhood abuse and parental bonding on cortisol levels in depressed adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mean afternoon cortisol levels were measured in 192 depressed adult patients at the beginning of a treatment trial. Childhood experiences of physical and sexual abuse were ascertained by interview, and perceived parenting by self-report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maternal affectionless control, childhood sexual and physical abuse were all associated with cortisol levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Childhood experiences, especially maternal affectionless control, appear to be related to hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis function in depressed adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. peter.joyce@chmeds.ac.nz
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: Samantha A H
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Janice M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: Christopher M A
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Frampton
authors.forename: Suzanne E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Luty
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Roger T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Mulder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000652:urine*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone