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Cortisol and Children’s Adjustment: The Moderating Role of Sympathetic Nervous System Activity

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Abstract

We examined relations among cortisol, markers of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity (including salivary alpha-amylase and skin conductance level), and children’s adjustment. We also tested the Bauer et al. (Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 23(2), 102–113, 2002) hypothesis that interactions between the SNS and cortisol would be associated with internalizing and externalizing problems. Saliva samples were obtained from 8- to 9-year-olds before and after a laboratory assessment battery, and were assayed for cortisol and alpha-amylase (sAA). Basal skin conductance level (SCL) was measured during resting conditions. Parents reported on child adjustment. Interactions between basal SNS and cortisol levels explained moderate amounts of unique variance in children’s externalizing and internalizing problems. More specifically, higher basal cortisol levels were positively associated with higher internalizing and externalizing problems among children with higher SNS activity, as compared to children with lower SNS activity. Findings underscore the utility of including information about the coordination between hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and SNS activity in biosocial models of atypical child development.

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Notes

  1. We also conducted regression analyses using separate measures of pre- and post-tasks sAA and cortisol, rather than averaged basal levels. Results were very similar. Specifically, the interaction between pre-task sAA and pre-task cortisol was marginally associated with internalizing problems, and the interaction between post-task sAA and post-task cortisol was significantly associated with both internalizing and externalizing problems. Follow-up examination of these interactions also revealed that associations between higher cortisol and higher internalizing or externalizing problems were significant at higher sAA levels but not at lower sAA levels.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported by a National Science Foundation Grant 0339115, and an Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station/Lindsey Foundation Grant no. ALA080-001. We gratefully acknowledge contributions made by Christine Acebo for help with the actigraphy measures, and the staff of the Child Development Lab for data collection. We also thank children and parents who participated. In the interest of full disclosure, it is noted that Dr. Granger is founder and CEO of Salimetrics LLC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    Mona El-Sheikh, Stephen A. Erath & Jacquelyn Mize

  2. Department of Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology and School Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

    Joseph A. Buckhalt

  3. Behavioral Endocrinology Laboratory, Departments of Biobehavioral Health and Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Douglas A. Granger

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  1. Mona El-Sheikh
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Correspondence to Mona El-Sheikh.

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El-Sheikh, M., Erath, S.A., Buckhalt, J.A. et al. Cortisol and Children’s Adjustment: The Moderating Role of Sympathetic Nervous System Activity. J Abnorm Child Psychol 36, 601–611 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9204-6

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