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Cited by 264Stress Responses and CortisolChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentNeuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Low salivary cortisol levels and externalizing behavior problems in youth

SHIRTCLIFF, ELIZABETH A., GRANGER, DOUGLAS A., BOOTH, ALAN, JOHNSON, DAVID·2005·Development and Psychopathology
DOI 10.1017/s0954579405050091
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Abstract

Research linking basal cortisol levels with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in youths has yielded inconsistent results. We hypothesize that the high moment to moment variation in adrenocortical activity requires an analytical strategy that separates variance in cortisol levels attributable to “stable traitlike” versus “state or situationally specific” sources. Early morning saliva samples were obtained from 724 youths ( M age = 13.5 years; range = 6–16 years in Year 1) on 2 successive days 1 year apart. Latent state–trait modeling revealed that 70% of the variance in cortisol levels could be attributed to statelike sources, and 28% to traitlike sources. For boys only, higher levels of externalizing problem behaviors were consistently associated with lower cortisol attributable to traitlike sources across 3 years of behavioral assessment. The inverse association between individual differences in cortisol and externalizing problem behavior has previously only been reported in studies of at-risk or clinical groups. The present findings suggest the relationship is a stable phenomenon that spans both normative and atypical child development. Studies are needed to reveal the biosocial mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of this phenomenon, and to decipher whether individual differences in this hormone–behavior link confers risk or resilience. This research was supported in part by the Behavioral Endocrinology Laboratory, and the Population Research Institute (PRI) at Pennsylvania State University, as well as the W. T. Grant Foundation (Grant 9617796). PRI has core support from the National Institute of Child Health and Development (Grant 1-HD28263). Collection of data on family process and child psychosocial functioning was supported by two grants from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD 32336 and HD 29409) to Ann Crouter and Susan McHale.

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  • Cortisol in adolescent girls is more state-dependent than in same-age boys.

    “Basal cortisol often increases in adolescent girls (reviewed in Adam et al., 2007), and cortisol in adolescent girls is more state-dependent (i.e., context-sensitive) than in same-age boys (Booth et al., 2008; Shirtcliff et al., 2005).”

    From The Adaptive Calibration Model of stress responsivity (2011) · cites this paper as Shirtcliff et al., 2005

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Authors
SHIRTCLIFF, E. A., GRANGER, D. A., BOOTH, A., & JOHNSON, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Wisconsin System (US)
  • Pennsylvania State University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Development and Psychopathology
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2005-03
Volume
17
Issue
1
Pages
167-184
ISSN
  • 0954-5794 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-2198
DOI
10.1017/s0954579405050091
OpenAlex
W2093445835
Cited by
264
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 26
FWCI
5.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 37 d)
Locations
  • Development and Psychopathology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5p30hd028263-08)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD29409, HD32336, R01HD032336, 1-HD 28263, R01HD029409)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Keywords
salivary cortisol, externalizing problems, adrenocortical function, individual differences, youth, boys, child development
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Age Factors, Child, Child Behavior Disorders, Child Development, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Personality, Saliva, Sex Factors

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