title: Both hair cortisol levels and perceived stress predict increased symptoms of depression: an exploratory study in young adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depressive symptoms are a common mental health problem among young adults, but the physiological mechanisms that mediate between stress and depressive symptoms remain unclear. Accordingly, this exploratory study (1) examined how hair cortisol concentrations were associated with self-perceived stress and depressive symptoms in a sample of young adults and (2) tested whether hair cortisol could explain variance in depressive symptoms beyond perceived stress before and after controlling for levels of vigorous physical activity (VPA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 42 exercise and health science university students (20 males, 22 females; mean age = 21.2 years). Cortisol concentrations were extracted from hair strands close to the scalp. Participants completed self-rating questionnaires about depressive symptoms and perceived stress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students with elevated hair cortisol levels tended to report lower depressive symptoms and lower perceived stress. Increased perceived stress was associated with higher depressive symptoms, and both hair cortisol and perceived stress predicted depressive symptoms after controlling for VPA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data suggest that elevated hair cortisol levels do not necessarily constitute a health risk. Hair cortisol measurement can serve as a noninvasive and painless biomarker of chronic stress and mental disorders; however, additional research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. markus.gerber@unibas.ch
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Nadeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalak
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holsboer-Trachsler
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pühse
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006854:Hydrocortisone