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Effect of Social Familiarity on Salivary Cortisol and Self-Reports of Social Anxiety and Stress in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

This study examined the effect of social familiarity on salivary cortisol and social anxiety/stress for a sample of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. The relationship between self-reported social anxiety/stress and salivary cortisol was also examined. Participants interacted with a familiar peer on one occasion and an unfamiliar peer on another occasion. Data were collected using salivary cortisol and a scale measuring subjective stress. Results indicated a significant condition by order interaction for salivary cortisol levels, while self-rated stress did not differ significantly across situations. A mild-moderate correlation was found between self-reported distress and salivary cortisol within each condition. Examination of self-rated distress vs. cortisol scatter plots suggested a more complex relationship than the correlation coefficient could adequately convey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 409 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1000, USA

    Christopher Lopata & Martin A. Volker

  2. Department of Psychology, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Susan K. Putnam

  3. Summit Educational Resources, Getzville, NY, USA

    Marcus L. Thomeer

  4. Department of Teacher Education, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Robert E. Nida

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  1. Christopher Lopata
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  2. Martin A. Volker
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  3. Susan K. Putnam
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  4. Marcus L. Thomeer
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  5. Robert E. Nida
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Correspondence to Christopher Lopata.

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Lopata, C., Volker, M.A., Putnam, S.K. et al. Effect of Social Familiarity on Salivary Cortisol and Self-Reports of Social Anxiety and Stress in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 38, 1866–1877 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0575-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0575-5

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