Cited by 782Stress Responses and CortisolAdrenal Hormones and DisordersCircadian rhythm and melatonin

Day-to-day dynamics of experience–cortisol associations in a population-based sample of older adults

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Adam, Emma K., Hawkley, Louise C., Kudielka, Brigitte M., Cacioppo, John T.·2006·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

In 156 older adults, day-to-day variations in cortisol diurnal rhythms were predicted from both prior-day and same-day experiences, to examine the temporal ordering of experience–cortisol associations in naturalistic environments. Diary reports of daily psychosocial, emotional, and physical states were completed at bedtime on each of three consecutive days. Salivary cortisol levels were measured at wakeup, 30 min after awakening, and at bedtime each day. Multilevel growth curve modeling was used to estimate diurnal cortisol profiles for each person each day. The parameters defining those profiles (wakeup level, diurnal slope, and cortisol awakening response) were predicted simultaneously from day-before and same-day experiences. Prior-day feelings of loneliness, sadness, threat, and lack of control were associated with a higher cortisol awakening response the next day, but morning awakening responses did not predict experiences of these states later the same day. Same-day, but not prior-day, feelings of tension and anger were associated with flatter diurnal cortisol rhythms, primarily because of their association with higher same-day evening cortisol levels. Although wakeup cortisol levels were not predicted by prior-day levels of fatigue and physical symptoms, low wakeup cortisol predicted higher levels of fatigue and physical symptoms later that day. Results are consistent with a dynamic and transactional function of cortisol as both a transducer of psychosocial and emotional experience into physiological activation and an influence on feelings of energy and physical well-being.

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Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.0605053103

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  • The CAR serves to mobilize resources to meet the perceived demands of the upcoming day.

    “current theory suggests that it serves to mobilize resources to meet the perceived demands of the upcoming day (e.g. Adam et al. 2006; Fries et al. 2009).”
  • Flattened diurnal cortisol slopes may serve as a marker of the day's levels of negative emotions such as tension and anger, leading to elevated evening cortisol levels.

    “By contrast, flattened diurnal cortisol slopes may serve as a marker of the day’s levels of negative emotions such as tension and anger, leading to elevated evening cortisol levels (Adam et al. 2006).”
  • Current theory posits that the CAR functions to prepare the individual to rise to the expected demands of the upcoming day.

    “Current theory posits that the CAR functions to prepare the individual to rise to the expected demands of the upcoming day (Adam et al. 2006; Fries et al. 2009); thus, the presence of the CAR can be seen as adaptive.”
  • Perceived social isolation predicts greater vascular resistance, higher blood pressure, morning cortisol rise, poorer sleep, and sedentary lifestyles beyond what objective isolation predicts.

    “Beyond what is predicted by objective isolation, perceived isolation predicts greater vascular resistance,26 elevated blood pressure,27,28 morning rise in cortisol,29 less salubrious sleep,28,30 and sedentary lifestyles.31”

    From Social isolation (2011) · cites this paper as [29]

  • Together with evidence of increased HPA axis activity, these findings suggest glucocorticoid resistance develops in chronically isolated individuals.

    “Together with evidence of increased activity of the HPA axis,29,34 these results suggest the development of glucocorticoid resistance in individuals who feel chronically isolated.”

    From Social isolation (2011) · cites this paper as [29]

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [52]Singer JD, Willett J B (2003) Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis: Modeling Change and Event Occurrence (Oxford Univ Press, Oxford).

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Authors
Adam, E. K., Hawkley, L. C., Kudielka, B. M., & Cacioppo, J. T.
Affiliations
  • Northwestern University (US)
  • University of Chicago (US)
  • Universität Trier (DE)
Corresponding author
Adam, Emma K.
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2006-11-07
Volume
103
Issue
45
Pages
17058-17063
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2162066293
Cited by
782
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 49 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 48 · 2013: 50 · 2012: 45
FWCI
8.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • John Templeton Foundation
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
  • National Institute on Aging (P01 AG1891)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
Keywords
salivary cortisol, diurnal cortisol rhythm, cortisol awakening response, older adults, psychosocial experiences, emotional experience, loneliness, sadness, threats, lack of control, tension, anger, fatigue, somatic symptoms, transactional model, diurnal variation
MeSH terms
Aged, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Saliva, Social Environment, Multivariate Analysis

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