Identifying atypical cortisol patterns in young children: The benefits of group-based trajectory modeling

Abstract

SummaryThe introduction of growth curve modeling into the field of neuroendocrinology has enabled researchers to examine mean patterns of change in unbalanced and/or incomplete repeated measures data. However, growth curve modeling assumes population homogeneity, or that all individuals follow roughly the same pattern of change, with differences expressed as deviation around the mean curve. Group-based trajectory modeling, in contrast, is designed for heterogeneous populations and as a result is able to identify atypical patterns of change over time that may exist within a population. To illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of each technique, we apply both to a sample of diurnal cortisol data measured at home in young children (N = 106, 46 male, M age = 3.81 years, SD = .24). We find three distinct trajectories of cortisol and demonstrate that the members of these trajectories are measurably different in terms of cortisol levels across context and time and in terms of the relationship between behavioral problems and parenting. At the same time, our growth curve analysis finds differential response patterns for high vs. low internalizing children with high vs. low parenting quality. We discuss these results in terms of their implications for the proper application of each method.

Interventions to Improve Cortisol Regulation in Children: A Systematic Review

“…15 These measurements allow calculation of morning-to-evening slope and withinand between-individual variation across the day using multilevel modeling (when $3 measurements are acquired), as well as AUC; the latter 2 measurements are generally considered the gold standard measures of cortisol regulation. [65][66][67] Acquisition of an additional sample 30 to 40 minutes after waking provides the opportunity to examine the cortisol awakening response, another well-established marker of cortisol regulation that can be compared easily across studies. 68,69 Recommendations for collecting cortisol specimens in developmental studies, including strategies to maximize compliance with sampling protocols, are provided elsewhere.…”

Inhibited temperament and parent emotional availability differentially predict young children's cortisol responses to novel social and nonsocial events

“…The present study combines two cohorts of children, one recruited through family child care settings (Kryzer, Kovan, Phillips, Domagall, & Gunnar, 2007) and a second through a university based preschool (Van Ryzin, Chatham, Kryzer, Kertes, & Gunnar, 2009). To finely tune cortisol-fear relations we examine cortisol change over two periods: one with very little social interaction and more challenge to confront novel situations and objects (nonsocial threat), and another involving a good deal of interaction with a stranger (the experimenter), including body contact while the experimenter placed electrodes for autonomic assessment (social threat).…”

La teoría de la alóstasis como mecanismo explicativo entre los apegos inseguros y la vulnerabilidad a enfermedades crónicas

“…Estos dos patrones podrían explicar los resultados en los niveles de cortisol a lo largo de un día encontrados en el 74% de un grupo de niños entre los 3.48 y 4.79 años. Se encontró una trayectoria que refleja el patrón típico, con un incremento en la mañana y que iba disminuyendo a lo largo del mismo (Van Ryzin, Chatham, Kryzer, Kertes, & Gunnar, 2009).…”

“…El patrón anales de psicología, 2015, vol. 31, nº 2 (mayo) mostró un nivel inicial extremo que no declinó a niveles normales durante el día (Van Ryzin et al, 2009). De esta manera, ambientes tempranos de alto estrés se asocian con hombres bajos en cooperación, altamente impulsivos, competitivos sociales y agresivos.…”

“…Finalmente, existiría una trayectoria adicional, la cual se daría como respuesta a ambientes de estrés extremos, como los relacionados con abuso sexual o físico, donde el sistema de respuesta al estrés caería en una hipoactividad (Del Giudice et al, 2011). El patrón coincide con la trayectoria del 16% de los niños evaluados en el estudio antes referido, en el cual se muestra un patrón con bajos niveles durante todo el día especialmente al despertarse y decrementando lentamente en el transcurso del mismo (Van Ryzin et al, 2009). Este patrón se daría en el caso que se ha descrito como apego desorganizado (Wallin, 2011).…”