Research Article

Patterns of cortisol reactivity in African-American neonates from low-income environments

  1. Kate Keenan*,
  2. Dana Gunthorpe,
  3. Desia Young

Article first published online: 24 SEP 2002

DOI: 10.1002/dev.10048

Issue

Developmental Psychobiology

Developmental Psychobiology

Volume 41, Issue 3, pages 265–276, 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Keenan, K., Gunthorpe, D. and Young, D. (2002), Patterns of cortisol reactivity in African-American neonates from low-income environments. Dev. Psychobiol., 41: 265–276. doi: 10.1002/dev.10048

Author Information

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637

*Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 SEP 2002
  2. Article first published online: 24 SEP 2002
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 11 DEC 2001
  4. Manuscript Received: 20 MAR 2001

Funded by

  • NIMH. Grant Number: K01 MH01484
  • Walden and Jean Young Shaw
  • University of Chicago Clinical Research Center

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Keywords:

  • neonates;
  • African-Americans;
  • cortisol;
  • individual differences

Abstract

Individual differences and stability in patterns of salivary cortisol reactivity were examined in 100 African-American neonates from low-income environments. A pattern of reactivity was defined by the change from prestressor to poststressor cortisol concentrations and the change following the poststressor during a recovery phase. Cortisol reactivity was measured in response to two stressors: the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS; T. B. Brazelton & J. K. Nugent) and the routine hospital heels-tick procedure. The use of two stressors allowed an examination of whether patterns of reactivity to different stimuli vary and whether there is individual stability in patterns of cortisol reactivity. Cortisol concentrations changed significantly across the three time points. The magnitude of change during the recovery period differed across stressors. Prestressor cortisol values were associated with cortisol reactivity. Both prestressor cortisol concentrations and pattern of cortisol response were significantly associated within individuals. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 41: 265–276, 2002. Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/dev.10048

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