The association between adversity and hair cortisol levels in humans: A meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
Adverse life events are associated with a constellation of negative health outcomes. Theory and research suggest that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis acts as one mechanism connecting adverse experiences with negative health outcomes. However, this relation is complicated by the potential for adversity to be associated with both hyperactivity and hypoactivity of the HPA axis, as assessed in both animal and human studies. Over the past decade, methodological advances have enabled the sampling of cortisol stored in hair, which provides a marker of HPA axis activity over a several-month period. The present meta-analysis included 28 studies to assess the strength and direction of the relation between adverse experiences and hair cortisol levels. Analyses were conducted using multilevel modeling (MLM) to quantify the magnitude of effects and mixture modeling to identify distinct subgroups of studies. Results of MLM analyses indicated that the overall effect size was small but significant d = 0.213, 95% CI [0.034, 0.397]. There was also significant between-study variance (τ = 0.155, 95% CI [0.065, 0.367]). Mixture modeling to identify distinct classes of studies based on effect size and direction resulted in a 2-class model: The first class included four studies with an overall negative and moderate effect size (d = -0.478, 95% CI [-0.639, -0.318]), and the second class included the remaining 24 studies with an overall positive and significant, albeit small, effect size (d = 0.141, 95% CI [0.084, 0.199]). Moderator analyses indicated that the strength and direction of the association between adversity and hair cortisol were moderated by features of the adversity exposure (e.g., type of adversity, timing of adversity), characteristics of the samples (e.g., clinical status, racial distribution), and features of the publication (e.g., publication type, geographic region of study). The findings refine our understanding of the long-term impact of adversity on dysregulation of the HPA axis, particularly as reflected in hair cortisol measures.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Inflammatory factors such as cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with breast cancer progression and psychological problems.
“Inflammatory factors such as cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with breast cancer progression18 and psychological problems.19”
From The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Group Counseling on Psychological and Inflammatory Responses of the Women With Breast Cancer (2020) · cites this paper as [19]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Nylund, K. L., Asparouhov, T., & Muthén, B. O. (2007) · Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal · doi:10.1080/10705510701575396 · Cited by 11,415 · see citing works
Wasserman, S. S., Hedges, L. V., & Olkin, I. (1988) · Journal of Educational Statistics · doi:10.2307/1164953 · Cited by 10,347 · see citing works
Cohen, J. (1992) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037//0033-2909.112.1.155 · Cited by 8,771 · see citing works
Sapolsky, R. M., Romero, L. M., & Munck, A. U. (2000) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/edrv.21.1.0389 · Cited by 7,541 · see citing works
Sapolsky, R. M. (2000) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/er.21.1.55 · Cited by 7,533 · see citing works
Protective and Damaging Effects of Stress Mediators
McEwen, B. S. (1998) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm199801153380307 · Cited by 6,733 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Deleterious health effects are caused by dysregulation of the HPA axis, which can include intense or chronic over-activation or under-activation (Chrousos, 2009), known as allostatic overload (McEwen, 1998).”
BackgroundDickerson, S. S., & Kemeny, M. E. (2004) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.355 · Cited by 5,881 · see citing works
Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: central role of the brain
McEwen, B. S. (2007) · Physiological Reviews · doi:10.1152/physrev.00041.2006 · Cited by 4,981 · cited 2× · see citing works
“For example, heightened activity of the amygdala results in increased stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (McEwen, 2007), contributing to greater HPA activity.”
BackgroundStatistical Methods for Meta-Analysis.
Freeman, P. R., Hedges, L. V., & Olkin, I. (1986) · Biometrics · doi:10.2307/2531069 · Cited by 4,832 · see citing works
Stress and disorders of the stress system
Chrousos, G. P. (2009) · Nature Reviews Endocrinology · doi:10.1038/nrendo.2009.106 · Cited by 3,215 · see citing works
Validity of adult retrospective reports of adverse childhood experiences: review of the evidence
Hardt, J., & Rutter, M. (2004) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00218.x · Cited by 2,827 · see citing works
Miller, G. E., Chen, E., & Zhou, E. S. (2007) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.133.1.25 · Cited by 2,467 · see citing works
Analyzing developmental trajectories: A semiparametric, group-based approach.
Nagin, D. S. (1999) · Psychological Methods · doi:10.1037/1082-989x.4.2.139 · Cited by 2,346 · cited 6× · see citing works
“A BIC difference of 10 is considered strong evidence in favor of the model with the lowest BIC (Nagin, 1999).”
InfluentialAdverse childhood experiences, allostasis, allostatic load and age-related disease
Danese, A., & McEwen, B. S. (2012) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.08.019 · Cited by 2,140 · see citing works
Statistical Power to Detect the Correct Number of Classes in Latent Profile Analysis
Tein, J., Coxe, S. J., & Cham, H. (2013) · Structural Equation Modeling A Multidisciplinary Journal · doi:10.1080/10705511.2013.824781 · Cited by 2,042 · see citing works
The link between childhood trauma and depression: insights from HPA axis studies in humans
Heim, C., Newport, D. J., Mletzko, T., Miller, A. H., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2008) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.03.008 · Cited by 1,704 · see citing works
The potential role of hypocortisolism in the pathophysiology of stress-related bodily disorders
Heim, C., Ehlert, U., & Hellhammer, D. H. (2000) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(99)00035-9 · Cited by 1,688 · see citing works
Bayesian structural equation modeling: A more flexible representation of substantive theory
Muthén, B., & Asparouhov, T. (2012) · Psychological Methods · doi:10.1037/a0026802 · Cited by 1,562 · see citing works
The Epidemiology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Disasters
Galea, S., Nandi, A., & Vlahov, D. (2005) · Epidemiologic Reviews · doi:10.1093/epirev/mxi003 · Cited by 1,287 · see citing works
Analyzing developmental trajectories of distinct but related behaviors: A group-based method.
Nagin, D. S., & Tremblay, R. E. (2001) · Psychological Methods · doi:10.1037/1082-989x.6.1.18 · Cited by 1,283 · see citing works
Fries, E., Hesse, J., Hellhammer, J., & Hellhammer, D. H. (2005) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2005.04.006 · Cited by 1,204 · see citing works
Three-level meta-analysis of dependent effect sizes
Van den Noortgate, W., López-López, J. A., Marín-Martínez, F., & Sánchez-Meca, J. (2013) · Behavior Research Methods · doi:10.3758/s13428-012-0261-6 · Cited by 1,130 · see citing works
Russell, E., Koren, G., Rieder, M., & Van Uum, S. (2012) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.09.009 · Cited by 1,063 · see citing works
Stress and Cardiovascular Disease: An Update on Current Knowledge
Steptoe, A., & Kivimäki, M. (2013) · Annual Review of Public Health · doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031912-114452 · Cited by 879 · see citing works
Stress-related and basic determinants of hair cortisol in humans: a meta-analysis
Stalder, T., Steudte-Schmiedgen, S., Alexander, N., Klucken, T., Vater, A., Wichmann, S., Kirschbaum, C., & Miller, R. (2017) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.12.017 · Cited by 855 · see citing works
Analysis of cortisol in hair – State of the art and future directions
Stalder, T., & Kirschbaum, C. (2012) · Brain Behavior and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2012.02.002 · Cited by 835 · see citing works
Heim, C., Newport, D. J., Bonsall, R., Miller, A. H., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2001) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.158.4.575 · Cited by 746 · see citing works
Potential problems with the interpretation of hair analysis results
Wennig, R. (2000) · Forensic Science International · doi:10.1016/s0379-0738(99)00146-2 · Cited by 677 · see citing works
Cortisol and post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Meewisse, M.-L., Reitsma, J. B., De Vries, G.-J., Gersons, B. P. R., & Olff, M. (2007) · British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.106.024877 · Cited by 661 · see citing works
Research Review: The neurobiology and genetics of maltreatment and adversity
McCrory, E., De Brito, S. A., & Viding, E. (2010) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02271.x · Cited by 598 · see citing works
Measurement of cortisol in human Hair as a biomarker of systemic exposure
Koren, G., Grace Walsh, R. N., Tokmakejian, S., & Uum, S. H. M. V. (2007) · Clinical and investigative medicine · doi:10.25011/cim.v30i5.2894 · Cited by 578 · see citing works
Chartier, M. J., Walker, J. R., & Naimark, B. (2010) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.09.020 · Cited by 519 · see citing works
Salivary cortisol levels in children adopted from Romanian orphanages
GUNNAR, M. R., MORISON, S. J., CHISHOLM, K., & SCHUDER, M. (2001) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s095457940100311x · Cited by 517 · see citing works
Reynolds, R. M. (2013) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.08.012 · Cited by 497 · see citing works
The impact of child maltreatment and psychopathology on neuroendocrine functioning
CICCHETTI, D., & ROGOSCH, F. A. (2001) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579401004035 · Cited by 444 · see citing works
Attenuation of cortisol across development for victims of sexual abuse
Trickett, P. K., Noll, J. G., Susman, E. J., Shenk, C. E., & Putnam, F. W. (2010) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579409990332 · Cited by 405 · see citing works
Madigan, S., Brumariu, L. E., Villani, V., Atkinson, L., & Lyons-Ruth, K. (2016) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/bul0000029 · Cited by 397 · see citing works
Self-citationAdverse childhood experiences: towards a clear conceptual meaning
Kalmakis, K. A., & Chandler, G. E. (2014) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.12329 · Cited by 390 · see citing works
Higher cortisol levels following exposure to traumatic reminders in abuse-related PTSD
Elzinga, B. M., Schmahl, C. G., Vermetten, E., van Dyck, R., & Bremner, J. D. (2003) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1300226 · Cited by 341 · see citing works
Morning cortisol Levels in preschool‐aged foster children: Differential effects of maltreatment type
Bruce, J., Fisher, P. A., Pears, K. C., & Levine, S. D. (2008) · Developmental Psychobiology · doi:10.1002/dev.20333 · Cited by 340 · see citing works
Kaess, M., Parzer, P., Mattern, M., Plener, P. L., Bifulco, A. T., Resch, F., & Brunner, R. M. (2012) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2012.10.012 · Cited by 339 · see citing works
An assessment of cortisol analysis in hair and its clinical applications
Gow, R., Thomson, S., Rieder, M., Van Uum, S., & Koren, G. (2010) · Forensic Science International · doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.12.040 · Cited by 329 · see citing works
Evaluation of a method to measure long term cortisol levels
Manenschijn, L., Koper, J. W., Lamberts, S. W. J., & van Rossum, E. F. C. (2011) · Steroids · doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2011.04.005 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
Knorr, U., Vinberg, M., Kessing, L. V., & Wetterslev, J. (2010) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.04.001 · Cited by 317 · see citing works
Bremner, J. D., Vythilingam, M., Vermetten, E. H. G. J. M., Adil, J., Khan, S., Nazeer, A., Afzal, N., McGlashan, T. H., Elzinga, B. M., Anderson, G. M., et al. (2003) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(02)00067-7 · Cited by 312 · see citing works
Altered cortisol awakening response in posttraumatic stress disorder
Wessa, M., Rohleder, N., Kirschbaum, C., & Flor, H. (2006) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2005.06.010 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
Longitudinal associations among child maltreatment, social functioning, and cortisol regulation.
Alink, L. R. A., Cicchetti, D., Kim, J., & Rogosch, F. A. (2012) · Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0024892 · Cited by 274 · see citing works
Ouellet‐Morin, I., Odgers, C. L., Danese, A., Bowes, L., Shakoor, S., Papadopoulos, A. S., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Arseneault, L. (2011) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.06.017 · Cited by 271 · see citing works
Spiga, F., Walker, J. J., Terry, J. R., & Lightman, S. L. (2014) · Comprehensive Physiology · doi:10.1002/cphy.c140003 · Cited by 267 · see citing works
Foster Children’s Diurnal Production of Cortisol: An Exploratory Study
Dozier, M., Manni, M., Gordon, M. K., Peloso, E., Gunnar, M. R., Stovall-McClough, K. C., Eldreth, D., & Levine, S. (2006) · Child Maltreatment · doi:10.1177/1077559505285779 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Markov Chain Monte Carlo: an introduction for epidemiologists
Hamra, G. B., MacLehose, R. F., & Richardson, D. B. (2013) · International Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/ije/dyt043 · Cited by 251 · see citing works
HPA axis responsiveness to stress: implications for healthy aging
Aguilera, G. (2011) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2010.08.023 · Cited by 250 · see citing works
Hostinar, C. E., Johnson, A. E., & Gunnar, M. R. (2015) · Developmental Science · doi:10.1111/desc.12195 · Cited by 244 · see citing works
How few countries will do? Comparative survey analysis from a Bayesian perspective
Hox, J. J., van de Schoot, R., & Matthijsse, S. M. (2011) · Survey research methods · doi:10.18148/srm/2012.v6i2.5033 · Cited by 226 · see citing works
Gunnar, M. R., & Hostinar, C. E. (2015) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2015.1070747 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Increased Salivary Cortisol Reliably Induced by a Protein-Rich Midday Meal
Gibson, E. L., Checkley, S., Papadopoulos, A., Poon, L., Daley, S., & Wardle, J. (1999) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-199903000-00014 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
Cardiovascular Disease and Hair Cortisol: a Novel Biomarker of Chronic Stress
Iob, E., & Steptoe, A. (2019) · Current Cardiology Reports · doi:10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
Harkness, K. L., Stewart, J. G., & Wynne‐Edwards, K. E. (2010) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.07.006 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Steudte, S., Kirschbaum, C., Gao, W., Alexander, N., Schönfeld, S., Hoyer, J., & Stalder, T. (2013) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.03.011 · Cited by 196 · see citing works
Effect sizes: Pearson's correlation, its display via the BESD, and alternative indices.
Rosenthal, R. (1991) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.46.10.1086 · Cited by 180 · see citing works
Increased cortisol concentrations in hair of severely traumatized Ugandan individuals with PTSD
Steudte‐Schmiedgen, S., Kolassa, I., Stalder, T., Pfeiffer, A., Kirschbaum, C., & Elbert, T. R. (2011) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.02.012 · Cited by 180 · see citing works
Maltreatment and diurnal cortisol regulation: a meta-analysis
Bernard, K., Frost, A., Bennett, C. B., & Lindhiem, O. (2017) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.01.005 · Cited by 180 · see citing works
Adulthood trauma and HPA-axis functioning in healthy subjects and PTSD patients: A meta-analysis
Klaassens, E. R., Giltay, E. J., Cuijpers, P. J., van Veen, T., & Zitman, F. G. (2011) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.07.003 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Meta-Analysis: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Cheung, M. W. ‐. (2015) · Cited by 166 · see citing works
Steudte‐Schmiedgen, S., Kirschbaum, C., Alexander, N., & Stalder, T. (2016) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.015 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Bosch, N. M., Riese, H., Reijneveld, S. A., Bakker, M. P., Verhulst, F. C., Ormel, J., & Oldehinkel, A. J. (2012) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.01.013 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
The complex neurobiology of resilient functioning after childhood maltreatment
Ioannidis, K., Askelund, A. D., Kievit, R., & van Harmelen, A. (2020) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12916-020-1490-7 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Luo, H., Hu, X., Liu, X., Ma, X., Guo, W., Qiu, C., Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Zhang, X., Zhang, W., et al. (2012) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.12.020 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Meta‐Analysis: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Sund, R. (2016) · International Statistical Review · doi:10.1111/insr.12174 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Steudte-Schmiedgen, S., Stalder, T., Schönfeld, S., Wittchen, H.-U., Trautmann, S., Alexander, N., Miller, R., & Kirschbaum, C. (2015) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.05.007 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Adverse childhood experiences and chronic hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activity
Kalmakis, K. A., Meyer, J. S., Chiodo, L. M., & Leung, K. (2015) · Stress · doi:10.3109/10253890.2015.1023791 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Blunted HPA axis activity prior to suicide attempt and increased inflammation in attempters
Melhem, N. M., Munroe, S., Marsland, A., Gray, K., Brent, D., Porta, G., Douaihy, A., Laudenslager, M. L., DePietro, F., Diler, R., et al. (2017) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.01.001 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, childhood adversity and adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury
Reichl, C., Heyer, A., Brunner, R. M., Parzer, P., Völker, J. M., Resch, F., & Kaess, M. (2016) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.09.011 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
White, L. O., Ising, M., von Klitzing, K., Sierau, S., Michel, A., Klein, A. M., Andreas, A., Keil, J., Quintero, L., Müller‐Myhsok, B., et al. (2017) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/jcpp.12700 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Hinkelmann, K., Muhtz, C., Dettenborn, L., Agorastos, A., Wingenfeld, K., Spitzer, C., Gao, W., Kirschbaum, C., Wiedemann, K., & Otte, C. (2013) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.04.021 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Wells, S. L., Tremblay, P. F., Flynn, A. M., Russell, E., Kennedy, J., Rehm, J. T., Uum, S. H. M. V., Koren, G., & Graham, K. (2014) · Stress · doi:10.3109/10253890.2014.930432 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Stress vulnerability in male youth with Internet Gaming Disorder
Kaess, M., Parzer, P., Mehl, L., Weil, L., Strittmatter, E., Resch, F., & Koenig, J. (2017) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.01.008 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Allostasis and the developing human brain: Explicit consideration of implicit models
Ganzel, B. L., & Morris, P. (2011) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579411000447 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Schalinski, I., Elbert, T., Steudte-Schmiedgen, S., & Kirschbaum, C. (2015) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0136921 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Xie, Q., Gao, W., Li, J., Qiao, T., Jin, J., Deng, H., & Lu, Z. (2011) · Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) · doi:10.1515/cclm.2011.706 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Salivary Cortisol Lower in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Wahbeh, H., & Oken, B. (2013) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.21798 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Simmons, J. G., Badcock, P. B., Whittle, S., Byrne, M. L., Mundy, L. K., Patton, G. C., Olsson, C. A., & Allen, N. B. (2015) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.004 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Relationship of PTSD Symptoms With Combat Exposure, Stress, and Inflammation in American Soldiers
Groer, M. E., Kane, B., Williams, S. N., & Duffy, A. (2014) · Biological Research For Nursing · doi:10.1177/1099800414544949 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Childhood abuse is associated with increased hair cortisol levels among urban pregnant women
Schreier, H. M. C., Enlow, M. B., Ritz, T., Gennings, C., & Wright, R. J. (2015) · Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech-2015-205541 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
do Prado, C. H., Grassi‐Oliveira, R., Daruy-Filho, L., Wieck, A., & Bauer, M. E. (2017) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/npp.2017.137 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Fischer, S., Duncko, R., Hatch, S. L., Papadopoulos, A., Goodwin, L., Frissa, S., Hotopf, M., & Cleare, A. J. (2017) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.11.011 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Turner‐Cobb, J. M. (2005) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890500095200 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Intimate partner violence is associated with increased maternal hair cortisol in mother–child dyads
Boeckel, M. G., Viola, T. W., Daruy-Filho, L., Martı́nez, M., & Grassi‐Oliveira, R. (2016) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.09.006 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Schury, K., Koenig, A. M., Isele, D., Hulbert, A.-L., Krause, S., Umlauft, M., Kolassa, S., Ziegenhain, U., Karabatsiakis, A., Reister, F., et al. (2017) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1367-2 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Temporal features of elevated hair cortisol among earthquake survivors
Gao, W., Zhong, P., Xie, Q., Wang, H., Jin, J., Deng, H., & Lu, Z. (2014) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/psyp.12179 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Longer-term increased cortisol levels in young people with mental health problems
Heinze, K., Lin, A. P., Reniers, R. L. E. P., & Wood, S. J. (2015) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2015.12.025 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Gallagher, P., Reid, K. S., & Ferrier, I. N. (2009) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.05.018 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Hair cortisol concentrations are associated with hippocampal subregional volumes in children
Keresztes, A., Raffington, L., Bender, A. R., Bögl, K., Heim, C. C., & Shing, Y. L. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-61131-x · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Pittner, K., Buisman, R. S. M., van den Berg, L. J. M., Block, L. C.-D., Tollenaar, M. S., Bakermans‐Kranenburg, M. J., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Elzinga, B. M., & Alink, L. R. A. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00387 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Feasibility of Hair Collection for Cortisol Measurement in Population Research on Adolescent Health
Ford, J. L., Boch, S. J., & McCarthy, D. O. (2016) · Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/nnr.0000000000000154 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Brunst, K. J. (2014) · Epidemiology Open Access · doi:10.4172/2161-1165.1000167 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Pacella‐LaBarbara, M. L., Hruska, B. J., Steudte‐Schmiedgen, S., George, R. L., & Delahanty, D. L. (2017) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.12.046 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Hair Cortisol as a Biomarker of Stress in the 2011 Libyan War
Etwel, F., Russell, E., Rieder, M. J., Uum, S. H. V., & Koren, G. (2014) · Clinical and investigative medicine · doi:10.25011/cim.v37i6.22245 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Demakakos, P., Demakakou, E. L., & Mishra, G. D. (2020) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/deaa113 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Psychobiology of cumulative trauma: hair cortisol as a risk marker for stress exposure in women
Morris, M. C., Abelson, J. L., Mielock, A. S., & Rao, U. (2017) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2017.1340450 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Trautmann, S., Muehlhan, M., Kirschbaum, C., Wïttchen, H., Höfler, M., Tobias Stalder, A., & Steudte‐Schmiedgen, S. (2017) · Addiction Biology · doi:10.1111/adb.12487 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
596: Maternal childhood trauma is associated with both maternal and newborn perinatal stress
Hoffman, M. C., Davis, E. P., & Ross, R. G. (2016) · American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2016.11.330 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Mayer, S. E. (2017) · Deep Blue (University of Michigan) · Cited by 4 · see citing works
20. Psychobiology of Cumulative Trauma: Hair Cortisol as a Risk Marker for Stress Exposure
Morris, M. C., Mielock, A. S., Abelson, J. L., & Rao, U. (2017) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.02.031 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
2 of the 106 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Cooper H, Hedges L (Eds.), 1994 The Handbook of Research Synthesis Russell Sage, New York.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The effects of social isolation stress and discrimination on mental health
Brandt, L., Liu, S., Heim, C. C., & Heinz, A. (2022) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-022-02178-4 · Cited by 480 · see citing works
“In humans, a meta-analysis showed adverse life events are associated with a small but significant increase in cortisol stored in hair as a marker of HPA axis activity over several months [37].”
BackgroundCardiovascular Disease and Hair Cortisol: a Novel Biomarker of Chronic Stress
Iob, E., & Steptoe, A. (2019) · Current Cardiology Reports · doi:10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
The complex neurobiology of resilient functioning after childhood maltreatment
Ioannidis, K., Askelund, A. D., Kievit, R., & van Harmelen, A. (2020) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12916-020-1490-7 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
“It has been suggested that the associations of cortisol with CM differ for patients with and without psychopathology [73].”
BackgroundStress and Psychiatric Disorders: The Role of Mitochondria
Daniels, T. E., Olsen, E. M., & Tyrka, A. R. (2020) · Annual Review of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-082719-104030 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
“Differential patterns of dysregulation appear to be mediated in part by the type of stressor, reported age at the time of stress, and chronicity (Khoury et al. 2019).”
BackgroundThe social ecology of childhood and early life adversity
Lopez, M., Ruiz, M. O., Rovnaghi, C. R., Tam, G. K.-Y., Hiscox, J., Gotlib, I. H., Barr, D. A., Carrión, V. G., & Anand, K. J. S. (2021) · Pediatric Research · doi:10.1038/s41390-020-01264-x · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Hakamata, Y., Suzuki, Y., Kobashikawa, H., & Hori, H. (2022) · Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100994 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
“The other studies however showed no significant association of ACEs with cortisol levels at the time of waking up (Bernard et al., 2017), and with hair cortisol levels (Khoury et al., 2019).”
InfluentialDempster, K. S., O’Leary, D. D., MacNeil, A. J., Hodges, G. J., & Wade, T. J. (2020) · Brain Behavior and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2020.12.018 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Iob, E., Lacey, R. E., & Steptoe, A. (2019) · Brain Behavior and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2019.12.019 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
“the recent meta-analysis of ACEs and hair cortisol included 28 studies with a total sample of only 3,397 participants (Khoury et al., 2019); 3) a more robust assessment of pro-inflammatory state and long-term HPA-axis activity owing to the use of repeated measures of CRP and quantification of cortisol in human hair; 4…”
InfluentialNature connectedness boosts the bright side of emotion regulation, which in turn reduces stress
Bakir-Demir, T., Berument, S. K., & Akkaya, S. (2021) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101642 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Mirmahmoodi, M., Mangalian, P., Ahmadi, A., & Dehghan, M. (2020) · Integrative Cancer Therapies · doi:10.1177/1534735420946819 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Rubika, A., Luoto, S., Krama, T., Trakimas, G., Rantala, M. J., Moore, F. R., Skrinda, I., Elferts, D., Krams, R., Contreras-Garduño, J. A., et al. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-68217-6 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Iob, E., Baldwin, J. R., Plomin, R. J., & Steptoe, A. (2021) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01538-w · Cited by 53 · see citing works
“Similar inconsistencies have also been documented in studies measuring cortisol in hair, which provides an indication of average cortisol exposure over several weeks [20, 21].”
ResultSchalinski, I., Teicher, M. H., & Rockstroh, B. S. (2019) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.06.007 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Rinne, G. R., Hartstein, J., Guardino, C. M., & Schetter, C. D. (2023) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106115 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
“For example, in non-pregnant samples, the associations between stress and both cortisol reactivity and hair cortisol vary depending on the type and timing of the stress and adversity (Dickerson and Kemeny, 2004; Khoury et al., 2019).”
Hair cortisol levels in posttraumatic stress disorder and metabolic syndrome
van den Heuvel, L. L., Tobias Stalder, A., du Plessis, S., Suliman, S., Kirschbaum, C., & Seedat, S. (2020) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2020.1724949 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Intimate partner violence and hair cortisol concentration: A biomarker for HPA axis function
Alhalal, E., & Falatah, R. (2020) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104897 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Shapero, B. G., Curley, E. E., Black, C. L., & Alloy, L. B. (2019) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1002/da.22957 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
“…that is less susceptible to daily factors that influence other methods of cortisol assessment (Dettenborn et al., 2012), but it also captures HPA axis functioning during circumscribed time periods (Khoury et al., 2019; Russell et al., 2012; Stalder & Kirschbaum, 2012; Staufenbiel et al., 2013).”
Backgroundvan der Laan, J. E., Vinke, C. M., & Arndt, S. S. (2022) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-09140-w · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Smeeth, D. M., McEwen, F. S., Popham, C. M., Karam, E. G., Fayyad, J. A., Saab, D., Rieder, M. J., Elzagallaai, A. A., Uum, S. H. M. V., & Pluess, M. (2022) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-022-01859-2 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
“This measure of average HPA axis activity has shown that adversity is frequently associated with altered hair hormone concentration (HCC) levels in adults, but this is dependent on the type and timing of adversity as well as the current psychopathological state of the study population [15, 16].”
BackgroundOuellet‐Morin, I., Cantave, C. Y., Paquin, S., Geoffroy, M., Brendgen, M. R., Vitaro, F., Tremblay, R. E., Boivin, M., LUPIEN, S. J., & Côté, S. M. (2020) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/jcpp.13228 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
The Pathways between Cortisol-Related Regulation Genes and PTSD Psychotherapy
Castro-Vale, I., & Carvalho, D. M. (2020) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare8040376 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“Some of these risk factors also influence the HPA axis function, examples being childhood adversity, parental PTSD, or the occurrence of prior TE or PTSD [9,28].”
BackgroundStetler, C., & Guinn, V. (2020) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104584 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“Although a growing body of work supports an association between stressful events and HCC (Khoury et al., 2019), the association between perceived stress and HCC has been less reliable.”
BackgroundMatte-Landry, A., Bolduc, M.-È. G., Tanguay-Garneau, L., Collin‐Vézina, D., & Ouellet‐Morin, I. (2022) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380221111484 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Hair cortisol concentrations are associated with hippocampal subregional volumes in children
Keresztes, A., Raffington, L., Bender, A. R., Bögl, K., Heim, C. C., & Shing, Y. L. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-61131-x · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Stephens, J. E., Kessler, C. L., Buß, C., Miller, G. E., Grobman, W. A., Keenan‐Devlin, L. S., Borders, A. E. B., & Adam, E. K. (2020) · Developmental Psychobiology · doi:10.1002/dev.22000 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“A recent metaanalysis found a small but significant relationship between greater life adversity and increased hair cortisol levels (Khoury et al., 2019).”
BackgroundCortisol, Stress, and Disease—Bidirectional Associations; Role for Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin?
Lee, J. H., Meyer, E. J., Nenke, M. A., Lightman, S. L., & Torpy, D. J. (2024) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/clinem/dgae412 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Pittner, K., Buisman, R. S. M., van den Berg, L. J. M., Block, L. C.-D., Tollenaar, M. S., Bakermans‐Kranenburg, M. J., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Elzinga, B. M., & Alink, L. R. A. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00387 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“This is also in line with the majority of research on maltreatment and hair cortisol which suggest elevated cortisol secretion (38).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialDoom, J. R., Peckins, M. K., Hein, T. C., Dotterer, H. L., Mitchell, C., Lopez‐Duran, N. L., Brooks-Gunn, J., McLanahan, S., Hyde, L. W., Abelson, J. L., et al. (2020) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579420000954 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“Timing of adversity is a significant moderator of hair cortisol concentration, with adult trauma showing stronger positive associations with overall cortisol output than childhood trauma (Khoury et al., 2019).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialvan der Valk, E. S., Abawi, O., Mohseni, M., Abdelmoumen, A., Wester, V. L., van der Voorn, B., Iyer, A. M., van den Akker, E. L. T., Hoeks, S. E., van den Berg, S. A. A., et al. (2021) · Obesity Reviews · doi:10.1111/obr.13376 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“For example, a recent meta-analysis demonstrated that adversity also relates to long-term GC levels, although this relation is complex and depends on the type and timing of adversity and on the studied population.(154) Adversity and stressful conditions can have similar complex relations to obesity.”
Backgroundde Leeuw, M. J., Oppewal, A., Elbers, R. G., Knulst, M. W. E. J., van Maurik, M. C., van Bruggen, M. C., Hilgenkamp, T. I. M., Bindels, P., & Festen, D. A. M. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053499 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Niu, L., Gao, Q., Xie, M., Yip, T., Gunnar, M. R., Wang, W., Xu, Q., Zhang, Y., & Lin, D. (2025) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106124 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Early childhood stress responses to psychosocial stressors: The state of the science
Bates, R. A., Militello, L. K., Barker, E., Villasanti, H. G., & Schmeer, K. K. (2022) · Developmental Psychobiology · doi:10.1002/dev.22320 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“Both heightened and blunted stress responsesmay be significant indicators of stress responses (Ford et al., 2019; Khoury et al., 2019; Miller et al., 2007; Xu et al., 2019) and highlight potential physiological disruptions during sensitive periods of development.”
BackgroundBuchmüller, T., Lembcke, H., Busch, J., Kumsta, R., Wolf, O. T., & Leyendecker, B. (2020) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2020.1737008 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Refugees offer a possibility to study the physiological effects of chronic adversities during adulthood otherwise often investigated in childhood (Khoury et al., 2019).”
BackgroundEpigenetic Mechanisms Activated by Childhood Adversity
Krause, B. J., Artigas, R., Sciolla, A., & Hamilton, J. (2020) · Epigenomics · doi:10.2217/epi-2020-0042 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Green, C., Stolicyn, A., Harris, M. A., Shen, X., Romaniuk, L., Barbu, M. C., Hawkins, E. L., Wardlaw, J. M., Steele, J. D., Waiter, G. D., et al. (2021) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01644-9 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Rosenfield, P., Jiang, D., & Pauselli, L. (2021) · Schizophrenia Research · doi:10.1016/j.schres.2021.06.005 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Taylor, K. S., Steptoe, A., & Iob, E. (2022) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-022-01805-2 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“This suggests that both the type and timing of adversity are important in understanding the relationship between ACEs and adverse biological outcomes [20].”
BackgroundMethodLyons‐Ruth, K., Li, F. H., Khoury, J. E., Ahtam, B., Sisitsky, M. D., Ou, Y., Enlow, M. B., & Grant, P. E. (2023) · Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology · doi:10.1007/s10802-023-01041-4 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Both blunted (downregulated) and elevated cortisol levels have been associated with childhood maltreatment (e.g., Bernard et al., 2017; Khoury et al., 2019).”
BackgroundSelf-citationDemakakos, P., Demakakou, E. L., & Mishra, G. D. (2020) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/deaa113 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“, 2009) and subsequent dysregulation of the neuroendocrine and immune systems (Hunter et al., 2011; Slopen et al., 2012; Chiang et al., 2015; Elwenspoek et al., 2017; Khoury et al., 2019), we also hypothesized that ACE could be directly related with miscarriage risk via biological pathways.”
BackgroundAssociations between social adversity and young children’s hair cortisol: A systematic review
Bryson, H., Price, A. M. H., Goldfeld, S. R., & Mensah, F. K. (2021) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105176 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Ford, J. L., Browning, C. R., Boch, S. J., Kertes, D. A., Tarrence, J. A., Way, B. M., & Schmeer, K. K. (2021) · Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/nnr.0000000000000527 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Behnke, A., Gumpp, A. M., Krumbholz, A., Bach, A. M., Schelling, G., Kolassa, I., & Rojas, R. (2021) · Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100068 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Cohort profile: biological pathways of risk and resilience in Syrian refugee children (BIOPATH)
McEwen, F. S., Popham, C. M., Moghames, P., Smeeth, D. M., de Villiers, B., Saab, D., Karam, G., Fayyad, J. A., Karam, E. G., & Pluess, M. (2022) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-022-02228-8 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“However, whether cortisol has utility as an unbiased biological signature of previous adversity or is predictive of mental health problems is not yet clear [6].”
BackgroundSchindler‐Gmelch, L., Capito, K., Steudte‐Schmiedgen, S., Kirschbaum, C., & Berking, M. (2023) · Current Neuropharmacology · doi:10.2174/1570159x21666230807112425 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Behnke, A., Karabatsiakis, A., Krumbholz, A., Karrasch, S., Schelling, G., Kolassa, I., & Rojas, R. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79859-x · Cited by 25 · see citing works
King, L. S., Humphreys, K. L., Cole, D. A., & Gotlib, I. H. (2021) · Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100102 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Although a meta-analysis combining data from pregnant and non-pregnant people indicated a small but significant positive association between life adversity and HCC [21], few studies have examined recent adverse experiences in relation to HCC during pregnancy.”
BackgroundEarly life stress in women with autoimmune thyroid disorders
Corso, A., Engel, H., Müller, F., Fiacco, S., Mernone, L., Gardini, E., Ehlert, U., & Fischer, S. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-49993-3 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Moreover, it has also been demonstrated to affected children’s neuroendocrine stress response system up into adulthood 41–43 .”
BackgroundKhoury, J. E., Enlow, M. B., Patwa, M. C., & Lyons‐Ruth, K. (2020) · Developmental Psychobiology · doi:10.1002/dev.21950 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citationFeeney, J. C., & Kenny, R. A. (2022) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105847 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Bertele, S., Heitland, I., Fraccarollo, D., Stapel, B., Bauersachs, J. K., Westhoff‐Bleck, M., & Kahl, K. G. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1002143 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Broeks, C. W., Molenaar, N. M., Brouwer, M. E., van den Akker, E. L. T., van Rossum, E. F. C., Van, R., van den Berg, S. A. A., Hillegers, M. H. J., Hoogendijk, W. J. G., Burger, H., et al. (2023) · Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100167 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“A detailed exploration yielded that lower HCC was more often associated with maltreatment beginning in childhood [22].”
BackgroundOresta, S., Vinkers, C. H., van Rossum, E. F. C., Penninx, B. W. J. H., & Nawijn, L. (2021) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105150 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“(2019) and the current study were weak, and markedly smaller relative to the earlier reported meta-analytic observations (Khoury et al., 2019; Stalder et al, 2017).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialThe Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene (NR3C1) 9β SNP Is Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Castro-Vale, I., Durães, C., van Rossum, E. F. C., Staufenbiel, S. M., Severo, M., Lemos, M. C., & Carvalho, D. M. (2021) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare9020173 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“HCC have also been influenced by time since trauma, type of trauma, childhood adversities, and hair manipulations [9,10].”
BackgroundOuellet‐Morin, I., Cantave, C. Y., LUPIEN, S. J., Geoffroy, M., Brendgen, M. R., Vitaro, F., Tremblay, R. E., Boivin, M., & Côté, S. M. (2021) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105153 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Bruinhof, N., Vacaru, S. V., van den Heuvel, M. I., de Weerth, C., & Beijers, R. (2022) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105863 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Studies that assess high prenatal stress due to exposure to disasters (e.g., ice storm; King and Laplante, 2005) or severe trauma (e.g., 9/11; Yehuda et al., 2005), can be seen as natural experiments in which all participants experience the same independent stressor (King et al., 2012).”
The associations of hair cortisol and DHEA with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in refugees
de Graaff, A. M., Cuijpers, P. J., Boschloo, L., Elsawy, M., Hunaidy, S., Seedat, S., Witteveen, A. B., Huizink, A. C., & Sijbrandij, M. (2023) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152438 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
The neuroendocrine modulation of global DNA methylation in neuropsychiatric disorders
Müller, D., Grevet, E. H., da Silva, B. S., Charão, M. F., Rovaris, D. L., & Bau, C. H. D. (2020) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-020-00924-y · Cited by 19 · see citing works
The neurobiology of postpartum depression
Wenzel, E., Frye, R., Roberson‐Nay, R., & Payne, J. L. (2025) · Trends in Neurosciences · doi:10.1016/j.tins.2025.05.005 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Penner, F., Khoury, J. E., Enlow, M. B., & Lyons‐Ruth, K. (2023) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106107 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Self-citationPauli‐Pott, U., Skoluda, N., Nater, U. M., Becker, K., Derz, F., Kaspar, E., Kasperzack, D., Kehm, K., Kött, M., Mann, C., et al. (2023) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-023-02180-1 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“As these conditions have sometimes been found to be associated with HCC in the general population [20, 32] it is possible that low HCC in ADHD indicates exposure to environmental adversity.”
BackgroundIkram, N., Frost, A., LeMasters, K. H., Hagaman, A. K., Baranov, V., Gallis, J. A., Sikander, S., Scherer, E. M., & Maselko, J. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052280 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Chong, L.-S., Gordis, E. B., Hunter, L., Amoh, J., Strully, K. W., Appleton, A. A., & Tracy, M. (2022) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105898 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Bürgin, D., Clemens, V., Varghese, N., Eckert, A., Huber, M., Bruttin, E., Boonmann, C., Unternährer, E., O'Donovan, A., & Schmid, M. (2022) · Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health · doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100524 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Dobernecker, J., Spyridou, A., Elbert, T. R., Schauer, M., Garthus‐Niegel, S., Ruf‐Leuschner, M., & Schalinski, I. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-28151-9 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Correa‐Burrows, P., Burrows, R. A., Cecilia Albala, B., Court, F. A., Salech, F., Sanhueza, G. E., & González-Billault, C. E. (2022) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-022-03032-4 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Steudte‐Schmiedgen, S., Schälicke, S., Bergunde, L., Karl, M., Weise, V., Junge‐Hoffmeister, J., Schumacher, S., von Soest, T., Weidner, K., Kirschbaum, C., et al. (2022) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105973 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Hair cortisol levels in women with medically unexplained symptoms
Fischer, S., Skoluda, N., Ali, N., Nater, U. M., & Mewes, R. (2021) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.044 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Influences of adversity across the lifespan on respiratory sinus arrhythmia during pregnancy
Kaliush, P. R., Terrell, S., Vlisides‐Henry, R. D., Lin, B., Neff, D., Shakiba, N., Conradt, E. D., & Crowell, S. E. (2021) · Developmental Psychobiology · doi:10.1002/dev.22132 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“…stress biology, including inflammatory processes (McCormack et al., 2021), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning (Epstein et al., 2019; Khoury et al., 2019; Morrison et al., 2017; Stephens et al., 2020; Swales et al., 2018; Thomas et al., 2018), and placental corticotropin-releasing…”
BackgroundArefian, M., & Asgari, K. (2025) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102881 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Achenbach, J., Volkmann, L., Tran, A.-T., Jäger, B., Rhein, M., Glahn, A., Bernateck, M., & Karst, M. (2022) · Disease Markers · doi:10.1155/2022/7958375 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“In contrast, chronic stress has also been found to impair cortisol secretion and HPA-axis (hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis) function in general as well as in patients with fibromyalgia leading to decreased resilience [15, 16].”
BackgroundMaternal separation in childhood and hair cortisol concentrations in late adulthood
Bevan, K., & Meena Kumari, B. (2021) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105253 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Whitney, S., Bedard, C., Mielke, J. G., Browne, D. T., & Ferro, M. A. (2022) · Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100155 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Adverse childhood experiences and diurnal cortisol patterns in older people in England
Demakakos, P., & Steptoe, A. (2022) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105798 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Marsland, A. L., Jones, E., Reed, R. G., Walsh, C. P., Natale, B. N., Lindsay, E. K., & Ewing, L. J. (2024) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107039 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
The predictive role of hair cortisol concentrations for treatment outcome in PTSD inpatients
Hummel, K. V., Schellong, J., Trautmann, S., Kummer, S., Hürrig, S., Klose, M., Croy, I., Weidner, K., Kirschbaum, C., & Steudte‐Schmiedgen, S. (2021) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105326 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Langhammer, T., Hilbert, K., Praxl, B., Kirschbaum, C., Ertle, A., Asbrand, J., & Lueken, U. (2021) · Mental Health & Prevention · doi:10.1016/j.mhp.2021.200221 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Differences in hair cortisol to cortisone ratio between depressed and non-depressed adolescent women
Zerroug, Y., Marin, M., Porter-Vignola, É., Garel, P., & Herba, C. M. (2025) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2025.2459726 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“A study in adolescents demonstrated a link between adversity and childhood trauma in relation to hyperactivity of the HPA axis (Khoury et al., 2019).”
Blecker, M. K., Klusmann, H., Engel, S., Haering, S., Meyer, C., Skoluda, N., Nater, U. M., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2025) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2025.119914 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Sociodemographics and chronic stress in mother–toddler dyads living in poverty
Bates, R. A., Ford, J. L., Jiang, H., Pickler, R. H., Justice, L. M., Dynia, J. M., & Ssekayombya, P. S. (2021) · Developmental Psychobiology · doi:10.1002/dev.22179 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Lifetime exposure to violence and other life stressors and hair cortisol concentration in women
Lynch, R., Aspelund, T., Kormáksson, M., Flores‐Torres, M. H., Hauksdóttir, A., Arnberg, F. K., Lajous, M., Kirschbaum, C., & Valdimarsdóttir, U. A. (2021) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2021.2011204 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Indeed, four studies were underpinning the negative effects on HCC in this meta-analysis (Khoury et al., 2019), while 16 other studies on childhood maltreatment showed null or trend toward a positive association.”
InfluentialMaternal Sociodemographic Factors and Antenatal Stress
Andhavarapu, M., Orwa, J., Temmerman, M., & Musana, J. W. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18136812 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“A meta-analysis published in 2019 [53] assessed the strength and direction (increase or decrease) of association between adverse life events such as maltreatment, natural disasters, accidents, domestic violence, etc.”
BackgroundGil, S. M., Cabaco, A. S., Moral-Martínez, J. D., Seisdedos-Benito, A., & Lundberg, U. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182010819 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Situations of stress, such as those triggered by IPV, are biologically regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) [5,6] where the hypothalamus activates in the pituitary gland the release of hormones, such as adenocorticotropin (ACTH), in the blood.”
BackgroundInfluentialTan, H., Zhou, H., Chen, J., Ren, H., Guo, Y., & Jiang, X. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1341266 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Bergunde, L., Karl, M., Borrmeister, M., Jaramillo, I., Weise, V., Mack, J. T., Weidner, K., Gao, W., Steudte‐Schmiedgen, S., & Garthus‐Niegel, S. (2024) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2024.2317674 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“This highlights the need to account for moderating variables (e.g. type and timing of adversity, clinical status) in determining the pattern of cortisol alterations following adversity (Khoury et al., 2019).”
BackgroundInfluentialMeta-analysis of associations between childhood adversity and diurnal cortisol regulation
Perrone, L., Thorpe, D., Panahi, G. S., Kitagawa, Y., Lindhiem, O. J., & Bernard, K. (2023) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579423000561 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Senehi, N., Flykt, M. S., Biringen, Z. C., Laudenslager, M. L., Watamura, S. E., Garrett, B. A., Kominsky, T. K., Wurster, H. E., & Sarche, M. C. (2021) · Prevention Science · doi:10.1007/s11121-021-01307-7 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Additionally, both elevated and dampened HCC levels may be associated with experiences of adversity (Khoury et al., 2019); however, age-related variations are thought to partly explain these findings.”
Maier, B. C. L., Zillich, L., Streit, F., Wildenberg, K., Rietschel, M., Hammes, H., Witt, S. H., & Deuschle, M. (2022) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105717 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Relationship between hair cortisol concentrations and cognitive functioning in adolescents with ADHD
Llorens, M., Barba, M., Torralbas-Ortega, J., Nadal, R., Armario, A., Gagliano, H., Urraca, L., Pujol, S., Montalvo, I., Gracia, R., et al. (2023) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2023.2281752 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Finally, an interesting meta-analysis con fi rmed that childhood adversity is associated with both higher and lower HCCs (Khoury et al., 2019).”
BackgroundBates, R. A., & Dynia, J. M. (2023) · Psychology in the Schools · doi:10.1002/pits.23118 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
DHEA : a neglected biological signal that may affect fetal and child development
Bailey, N. A., Davis, E. P., Sandman, C. A., & Glynn, L. M. (2024) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/jcpp.13952 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Torrecilla, P., & Barrantes‐Vidal, N. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.746155 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Castro-Vale, I., van Rossum, E. F. C., Staufenbiel, S. M., Severo, M., Mota‐Cardoso, R., & Carvalho, D. M. (2020) · Psychiatry Investigation · doi:10.30773/pi.2020.0212 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Xiang, L., Zeng, X., Luo, Y., Tan, S., Wang, F., & Mao, X. (2023) · The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine · doi:10.1177/00912174231178108 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“20 However, the psychological state measured by the psychological scale generally re fl ects throughout the psychological state (such as a month), and the time re fl ected on saliva, serum, or urine cortisol levels are inconsistent.”
BackgroundChampagne, F. A., Courtney, K., Bellatin, A., Miller, M., & Widom, C. S. (2025) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107561 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“…key variables at multiple timepoints across the lifespan that permits a more nuanced understanding of age/timing related variables and their association with childhood maltreatment and HCC. p r Given evidence that the type of maltreatment differentially predicts HCC (Khoury et al., 2019), we…”
Is economic hardship associated with young children's cortisol levels?
Santaularia, N. J., Kunin‐Batson, A., Sherwood, N. E., Gunnar, M. R., French, S. A., & Mason, S. M. (2023) · Developmental Psychobiology · doi:10.1002/dev.22390 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“…cross-sectionally, few studies have examined the association between economic hardship and hair cortisol (Bhopal et al., 2019; Ertekin et al., 2021; Khoury et al., 2019; Ling et al., 2019; Palmer-Bacon et al., 2020; Tarullo et al., 2020; Vaghri et al., 2013; Vliegenthart et al., 2016), and even…”
BackgroundYirmiya, K., Motsan, S., Zagoory‐Sharon, O., Schonblum, A., Koren, L., & Feldman, R. (2022) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291722001350 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“, 2016), other studies described HPA-axis hypo-activity in the aftermath of trauma, highlighting the need to consider potential moderators in the interpretation of the findings, such as type of stressor, timing effects, or individual and contextual determinants (Khoury et al., 2019; Steudte-Schmiedgen, Kirschbaum, Ale…”
BackgroundInfluentialChanges in Stress Following Wage Increases for Early Childhood Educators
Bates, R. A., & Dynia, J. M. (2024) · Early Childhood Education Journal · doi:10.1007/s10643-024-01666-0 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“For example, while one may perceive the absence of stress, physiological biomarkers may be high; similarly, one may perceive intense stress, but physiological biomarkers may be high or even low (Ford et al., 2019; Khoury et al., 2019).”
Current and Cumulative Stress Experiences: A Model for Arab American Young Adults
Albdour, M. M., Templin, T., Zilioli, S., Hong, J. S., & Lumley, M. A. (2022) · Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association · doi:10.1177/10783903221110235 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“…HPA axis can disrupt this typical response by leading to hyperreactivity, where cortisol remains high over a prolonged period, or hyporeactivity, where the cortisol response is blunted and does not increase to the optimal level (De Kloet et al., 2005; Frodl & O’Keane, 2013; Khoury et al., 2019).”
BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences screening in healthcare settings: A focus on pediatric primary care
Negriff, S. L., Sidell, M. A., & DiGangi, M. J. (2024) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106709 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Impact of adverse childhood experiences on analgesia-related outcomes: a systematic review
Senaratne, D. N. S., Koponen, M. E., Barnett, K. N., Smith, B. H., Hales, T. G., Marryat, L., & Colvin, L. (2024) · British Journal of Anaesthesia · doi:10.1016/j.bja.2024.09.015 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“133 It is of note that one included study used an objective measure of pain sensation (quantitative sensory testing) but did not find an association between ACEs and pain thresholds in various sensory modalities.”
- Authors
- Khoury, J. E., Bosquet Enlow, M., Plamondon, A., & Lyons-Ruth, K.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Khoury, Jennifer E.
- ORCID
- Khoury, Jennifer E.
- Venue
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-05
- Volume
- 103
- Pages
- 104-117
- ISSN
- 0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6450779
- OpenAlex
- W2910167098
- Cited by
- 170
- References
- 106
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 4 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 2.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD079484)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
- Keywords
- adversity, life events, hair cortisol, HPA axis dysregulation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, chronic stress, cortisol biomarkers
- MeSH terms
- Adverse Childhood Experiences, Female, Hair, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Male, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Stress, Psychological
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
