The adaptive calibration model of stress responsivity: An empirical test in the Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey study

Abstract

The adaptive calibration model (ACM) is a theory of developmental programing focusing on calibration of stress response systems and associated life history strategies to local environmental conditions. In this article, we tested some key predictions of the ACM in a longitudinal study of Dutch adolescent males (11-16 years old; N = 351). Measures of sympathetic, parasympathetic, and adrenocortical activation, reactivity to, and recovery from social-evaluative stress validated the four-pattern taxonomy of the ACM via latent profile analysis, though with some deviations from expected patterns. The physiological profiles generally showed predicted associations with antecedent measures of familial and ecological conditions and life stress; as expected, high- and low-responsivity patterns were found under both low-stress and high-stress family conditions. The four patterns were also differentially associated with aggressive/rule-breaking behavior and withdrawn/depressed behavior. This study provides measured support for key predictions of the ACM and highlights important empirical issues and methodological challenges for future research.

Severity of Early Life Stress Moderates the Effect of Fine Particle Air Pollution on Adolescent Brain Development

“…These findings are consistent with the perspective that biological embedding of ELS determines responsivity and openness to the effects of other experiences, including those related to the physical environment (30). Indeed, more severe ELS has been associated with patterns of physiology posited to reflect openness or susceptibility to environmental influence (39,40). The present study is the first, however, to provide evidence that ELS constrains sensitivity to the effects of air pollution on neurobiology.…”

Annual Research Review: Early adversity, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis, and child psychopathology

“…In support of an acceleration of life history strategies toward earlier reproduction, Belsky, Ruttle, Boyce, Armstrong, and Essex () found maternal stress during pregnancy related to early adrenarche and adolescent mental health severity through heightened maternal depression during infancy and higher basal cortisol during childhood. In a recent test of the ACM in adolescent males, Ellis, Oldehinkel, and Nederhof () provide some support for the four predicted response patterns in relation to environmental stressors and behavioral functioning. Given the complexity of predictions pertaining to life course development, future longitudinal research targeting developmental trajectories that span across the developmental switch points (e.g., prenatal/early life, juvenile transition/adrenarche, puberty) is warranted to test the extent to which proposed patterns support differences in life history strategies that reflect tradeoffs in selection of reproduction, growth/metabolism, and learning/memory.…”

Pathways Linking Adverse Childhood Experiences to Cigarette Smoking Among Young Black Men: a Prospective Analysis of the Role of Sleep Problems and Delayed Reward Discounting

“…Adverse rearing environments may have direct effects on the development of decision making. In a harsh and unreliable rearing context, developing children may experience little or no reinforcement for delaying gratification or hoping for larger rewards in the future (25). Over time, the developing child learns to prefer immediate rewards, resulting in a tendency toward impulsive decision making.…”