The Association of Hair Cortisol Concentration (HCC), Stressful Life Events, and Psychosocial Stress Habituation
Year: 2022
Type: preprint
Abstract: The analysis of hair glucocorticoid levels became an instrument of particular interest in stress-related psychoneuroendocrine research. In comparison to conventional methods of measuring long-term glucocorticoid levels in humans, the quantification of hair cortisol is feasible, reliable, and time-efficient. Yet, previous research was hardly able to detect a consistent relationship between hair cortisol and perceived (chronic) stress. Specifically, whether and how past life events shape this relationship is still an unresolved question. Almost nothing is known about the potential modulatory role of differences in psychosocial stress reactivity and its habituation across multiple exposures. Thus, the present study is aimed at clarifying the relationship between hair cortisol concentration, stressful life events, and psychosocial stress habituation. The study consists of one kick-off session and three further appointments scheduled for approximately 1.5 hours at the same time in weekly intervals. At the first appointment, participants are asked to complete questionnaires covering sociodemographic data, recently perceived stress and stressful life events. Additionally, a sample of hair is extracted for glucocorticoid analysis. At the other appointments, participants undergo the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST; Kirschbaum et al., 1993), a well-established method for psychosocial stress inducement. Before, during, and after the TSST of each session, various physiological measures such as salivary cortisol and heart rate as well as self-report data on perceived stress are assessed.
Source: OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
Language: English
Subfield: Behavioral Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6906297851