Home–school differences in stress hormone levels in a group of Oxford primary schoolchildren

Abstract

SummaryTwenty-three girls and thirteen boys, aged between 4 and 9 years, gave urine samples which were measured by HPLC for adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol and cortisone on a school day and on a home day. Home levels of noradrenaline, cortisol and cortistone were consistently higher than school levels. Cortisol was positively correlated with adrenaline and noradrenaline at home, but not at school. These results may suggest that the school day represents a stimulating but comparatively structured environment with little negative affect, while the home day is characterised by stimulation but relative uncertainty in social interactions.

Epidemiological approaches to measure childhood stress

“…114 Although UFC measurements bring logistic difficulties, this technique can be used in childhood (stress) research, as has been done in the past. [115][116][117][118][119][120] Hair Chronic stress has recently been demonstrated to result in increased cortisol concentrations in the hair of animal and human populations. Therefore, hair cortisol is a potential, non-invasive biomarker for chronic stress in childhood populations.…”

“…Analyses of urinary creatinine excretions in 24‐h samples may indicate collection errors and serve as verification of protocol compliance 114 . Although UFC measurements bring logistic difficulties, this technique can be used in childhood (stress) research, as has been done in the past 115–120 …”

Comparative Stress in Human Societies.

“…One of these was of children who surprisingly have been largely ignored by physiological anthropologists. In our study the same children were examined on a day when they were at school and on a day when they were at home (Long et al, 1993). Somewhat to our initial surprise adrenaline output levels were higher on the home-day than on the school-day.…”

The biology of everyday living

“…The work daylrest day comparison in Otmoor is an example, but young children were also compared in the school and home situations (Long et al, 19931, and competitive rowers were studied in racing, training, and when not rowing (Pearson et al, 1995). In the particular circumstances of the child study, epinephrine was raised in the home situation.…”