Work

The influence of maternal care and overprotection on youth adrenocortical stress response: a multiphase growth curve analysis

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: We examined the association between two dimensions of maternal parenting style (care and overprotection) and cortisol response to an acute laboratory-induced stressor in healthy youth. Forty-three participants completed the Parental Bonding Instrument and an adapted version of the Trier Social Stress Test-Child (TSST-C). Nine cortisol samples were collected to investigate heterogeneity in different phases of youth's stress response. Multiphase growth-curve modeling was utilized to create latent factors corresponding to individual differences in cortisol during baseline, reactivity, and recovery to the TSST-C. Youth report of maternal overprotection was associated with lower baseline cortisol levels, and a slower cortisol decline during recovery, controlling for maternal care, puberty, and gender. No additive or interactive effects involving maternal care emerged. These findings suggest that maternal overprotection may exert a unique and important influence on youth's stress response.

Source: Stress

DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2016.1222608

Authors: Chrystal Vergara-Lopez, Stephenie Chaudoir, Margaret Bublitz, Maggie O’Reilly Treter, Laura Stroud

Institutions: Brown University, Miriam Hospital, College of the Holy Cross

Language: English

Topic: Stress Responses and Cortisol

Subfield: Behavioral Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Science Foundation, National Institute on Drug Abuse