Childhood trauma and basal cortisol in people with personality disorders.
This study examined the influence of various forms of childhood abuse on basal cortisol levels in a sample of adults with Axis II personality disorders. Participants included 63 adults (n = 19 women) who provided basal plasma cortisol samples and completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Linear regression analyses that included all 5 subscales (ie, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect and emotional neglect) demonstrated that physical abuse was related to lower cortisol levels (beta = -.43, P = .007), consistent with prior literature. In contrast, physical neglect was associated with higher cortisol (beta = .36, P = .02), after controlling for other forms of abuse. Results are consistent with the view that childhood trauma has long-lasting neurobiological effects and suggest that different forms of trauma may have distinct biological effects.
Flory
Janine D
JD
Department of Psychology, Queens College/CUNY, Flushing, NY 11367, USA. janine.flory@qc.cuny.edu
Yehuda
Rachel
R
Grossman
Robert
R
New
Antonia S
AS
Mitropoulou
Vivian
V
Siever
Larry J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006854:Hydrocortisone