title: Circadian rhythm of cortisol and neighborhood characteristics in a population-based sample: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
abstract: Although stress is often hypothesized to contribute to the effects of neighborhoods on health, very few studies have investigated associations of neighborhood characteristics with stress biomarkers. This study helps address the gap in the literature by examining whether neighborhood characteristics are associated with cortisol profiles. Analyses were based on data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Stress study, which collected multiple measures of salivary cortisol over three days on a population based sample of approximately 800 adults. Multilevel models with splines were used to examine associations of cortisol levels with neighborhood poverty, violence, disorder, and social cohesion. Neighborhood violence was significantly associated with lower cortisol values at wakeup and with a slower decline in cortisol over the earlier part of the day, after sociodemographic controls. Associations were weaker and less consistent for neighborhood poverty, social cohesion, and disorder. Results revealed suggestive, though limited, evidence linking neighborhood contexts to cortisol circadian rhythms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter St, HESC Room 116E, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. dphuongdo@sc.edu
authors.forename: D Phuong
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: Ana V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Diez Roux
authors.forename: Anjum
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hajat
authors.forename: Amy H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Auchincloss
authors.forename: Sharon Stein
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Merkin
authors.forename: Nalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ranjit
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seeman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012924:Social Conditions
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006854:Hydrocortisone