Effects of interpersonal violence-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on mother and child diurnal cortisol rhythm and cortisol reactivity to a laboratory stressor involving separation

Details

Ressource 1Download: Cordero et al., 2018 1-s2.0-S0018506X16302161-main (1).pdf (626.17 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: Not specified
Serval ID
serval:BIB_BC86F6CC2FE1
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Effects of interpersonal violence-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on mother and child diurnal cortisol rhythm and cortisol reactivity to a laboratory stressor involving separation
Journal
Hormones and Behavior
Author(s)
Schechter Daniel S
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2017
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Language
english
Abstract
Women who have experienced interpersonal violence (IPV) are at a higher risk to develop posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and impaired social behavior. Previously, we had reported impaired maternal sensitivity and increased difficulty in identifying emotions (i.e. alexithymia) among IPV-PTSD mothers. One of the aims of the present study was to examine
maternal IPV-PTSD salivary cortisol levels diurnally and reactive to their child's distress in relation to maternal
alexithymia. Given that mother-child interaction during infancy and early childhood has important long-term
consequences on the stress response system, toddlers' cortisol levels were assessed during the day and in response to a laboratory stressor. Mothers collected their own and their 12–48 month-old toddlers' salivary samples at home three times: 30 min after waking up, between 2–3 pm and at bedtime. Moreover, mother-child
dyads participated in a 120-min laboratory session, consisting of 3 phases: baseline, stress situation (involving
mother-child separation and exposure to novelty) and a 60-min regulation phase. Compared to non-PTSD controls, IPV-PTSD mothers — but not their toddlers, had lower morning cortisol and higher bedtime cortisol levels.
As expected, IPV-PTSD mothers and their children showed blunted cortisol reactivity to the laboratory stressor.
Maternal cortisol levels were negatively correlated to difficulty in identifying emotions. Our data highlights
PTSD-IPV-related alterations in the HPA system and its relevance to maternal behavior. Toddlers of IPV-PTSD
mothers also showed an altered pattern of cortisol reactivity to stress that potentially may predispose them to
later psychological disorders.
Funding(s)
Swiss National Science Foundation
Create date
19/11/2020 16:22
Last modification date
20/11/2020 6:26
Usage data