title: Intervening to enhance cortisol regulation among children at risk for neglect: Results of a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis is particularly sensitive to conditions of maltreatment. In particular, neglected children have shown a flatter slope with lower wake-up values relative to nonneglected children. An intervention, the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC), was developed to enhance biological and behavioral regulation in young children at risk for neglect. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed in a randomized clinical trial for children with involvement with Child Protective Services. Following the intervention, children receiving the ABC intervention (n = 49) showed more typical cortisol production, with higher wake-up cortisol values and a steeper diurnal slope, than children receiving the control intervention (n = 51). These results suggest that the ABC intervention is effective in enhancing biological regulation.
authors.affiliation: Stony Brook University.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.affiliation: University of Delaware.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dozier
authors.affiliation: Boston Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bick
authors.affiliation: University of Delaware.
authors.forename: M Kathleen
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002649:Child Abuse; D000068216:Child Protective Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone