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

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 sameday 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.loneliness ͉ psychological stress A convincing nonhuman animal literature documents the effects of stress exposure on the physiology and neurobiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and shows that changes in glucocorticoid levels affect a wide range of related physiological processes and health outcomes (1-3). As a result, considerable attention is being given to the possibility that emotional and physical health disorders in humans may emerge because of extreme or chronic stress exposure and frequent or prolonged HPA axis activation (4, 5).Practical and ethical limitations, however, do not allow human researchers to conduct research with the same degree of causal rigor as in the animal literature; it is obviously not feasible to experimentally impose extreme or chronic stress. Consequently, most research on the associations between stress, HPA axis activity, and physical and emotional well-being in humans has relied on correlational data. Much of this research is also cross-sectional, showing point-in-time rather than longitudinal associations (5, 6).Understanding the role of the HPA axis in human disease processes will ultimately require the longitudinal examination of changes in stress exposure, HPA axis functioning, and disease over the course of months and years. In the present study, however, we show that even examining the day-to-day dynamics of experiencecortisol associations can reveal important information abou...

Exploring day-to-day dynamics of daily stressor appraisals, physical symptoms and the cortisol awakening response

“…This supports an effect identified in previous research (Adam et al, 2006), however, Adam et al demonstrated an effect of the S1 on same-day physical symptoms rather than the CAR AUCi.…”

“…Model 2 was based on that of Adam et al (2006), who entered prior-and same-day physical symptoms simultaneously into a model predicting morning cortisol, in order to determine which variable was more strongly associated with the CAR. Here, physical symptoms and daily affect were entered separately into models predicting the CAR: Finally, a between-subjects analysis was carried out.…”

“…Interestingly, research has begun to emerge that suggests cortisol levels are related to the same-day reporting of fatigue and physical symptoms (Adam, Hawkley, Kudielka, & Cacioppo, 2006). Specifically, lower levels of cortisol at waking were associated with greater fatigue and physical symptoms during the rest of the day.…”

Female temperament, tumor development and life span: Relation to glucocorticoid and tumor necrosis factor α levels in rats

“…This interpretation is supported by the enlarged adrenal glands in young adult highlocomotion females. Further studies are required to address other physiological repercussions that may exist later in life as a result of this differential HPA axis activity, and to determine the extent to which HPA axis activity is a stable trait within individuals over time (Adam et al, 2006;Burleson et al, 2003;Capitanio et al, 1998;Cohen and Hamrick, 2003).…”

Loneliness and Social Isolation: Risk Factors Long Overdue for Surveillance

“…• Diminished physical activity 13 • Diminished motor function 14,15 • Symptoms of depression 16 • Disrupted sleep and daytime dysfunction 17 • Impaired mental and cognitive function 18 • Increased systolic blood pressure 19 • Increased sympathetic tone and vascular resistance 20,21 • Increased hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical activity 22,23 • Altered gene expression related to anti-inflammatory responses 24 • Altered immunity 25,26 Of greater concern, however, is an accumulating volume of research that highlights loneliness as a risk factor for both functional decline as well as increased mortality. 4,8,[27][28][29] In short, there is evidence that the subjective experience of loneliness can significantly contribute to premature death independently of other physical, behavioral, or psychological factors.…”