title: Trajectories of diurnal cortisol in mothers of children with autism and other developmental disabilities: relations to health and mental health.
abstract: This study used a stress biomarker, diurnal cortisol, to identify how elevated stress in mothers of children and adults with autism and other disabilities relates to their health and mental health. Based on semi-parametric, group-based trajectory analysis of 91 mothers, two distinctive cortisol trajectories emerged: blunted (63 %) or steep (37 %). Mothers in the blunted (vs. steep) trajectory had higher stress levels, lower health ratings, and 89 % of mothers of children with autism, and 53 % with other disabilities, belonged to this trajectory. Atypical cortisol awakening responses and evening rises were differentially associated with anxiety, depression, health problems and employment status. Stress-reducing interventions are needed for parents of children with autism and other disabilities that include biomarkers as indices of risk or treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychology and Human Development, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, One Magnolia Circle, Peabody Box 40, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA, elisabeth.dykens@vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: Elisabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Dykens
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone