title: Early adversity, hypocortisolism, and behavior problems at school entry: A study of internationally adopted children.
abstract: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is influenced by early life adversity; however, less is known about the potential for recovery following marked improvements in care. The present study examined longitudinal changes in children's cortisol reactivity in the laboratory (4 assessments over 2 years) after adoption. Post-institutionalized (N=65) and post-foster care children (N=49) demonstrated blunted reactivity relative to non-adopted peers (N=53). Furthermore, post-institutionalized children exhibited no evidence of expected adaptation to repeated sessions in the 2 years following adoption. As evidenced by blunted cortisol reactivity, flatter diurnal slope, and lower home morning cortisol, we found support for hypocortisolism among children experiencing adverse early care. Hypocortisolism served as a mediator between adversity and teacher-reported attention and externalizing problems during kindergarten. Early adversity appears to contribute to the down-regulation of the HPA axis under both basal and stress conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203, United States. Electronic address: kalsea.j.koss@vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: Kalsea J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Koss
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 E. River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
authors.forename: Shanna B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Mliner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 E. River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
authors.forename: Bonny
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Donzella
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 E. River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
authors.forename: Megan R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gunnar
mesh_terms: D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002674:Child, Institutionalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D007223:Infant; D038622:Internationality; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D012574:Schools; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Adoption; Early adversity; Hypocortisolism; Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis; Orphanage; Problem behavior