Examining the concurrent and longitudinal relationship between diurnal cortisol rhythms and conduct problems during childhood.
Previous literature indicates that both hypoactivity and hyperactivity of the HPA axis may be related to conduct disorder and externalizing behaviors in young children. Using a longitudinal sample of 283 typically-developing children, the current study examined both the concurrent and the longitudinal association between HPA functioning and externalizing behavior problems, such as conduct problems. Diurnal cortisol rhythms and externalizing problems were assessed at ages 6 and 9. Results suggest that concurrent HPA functioning is not significantly related to externalizing behavior at ages 6 or 9. However, more blunted cortisol rhythms at age 6 (less change across the day from morning to evening) predicted a greater increase in externalizing behavior between age 6 and age 9 than did steeper cortisol rhythms. Further analyses revealed that this association was driven by conduct problems and aggressive behavior, rather than attention problems. The relationship between HPA functioning and subsequent externalizing behavior in children adds to the limited longitudinal work on this topic, suggesting that the association changes over time. These results may serve to clarify the inconsistencies in the cross-sectional literature, particularly with respect to young school-age children.
Stony Brook University, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, USA. Electronic address: Katherine.Salis@Stonybrook.edu.
Katie Lee
KL
Salis
Stony Brook University, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, USA.
Kristin
K
Bernard
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Sarah R
SR
Black
University of Maryland, Biology/Psychology Building, 4094 Campus Dr., College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Lea R
LR
Dougherty
Stony Brook University, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, USA.
Daniel
D
Klein
D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry
D006854:Hydrocortisone
Aggression; Conduct disorder; Cortisol; HPA axis