The effects of SES on infant and maternal diurnal salivary cortisol output

Infant Behav Dev. 2014 Aug;37(3):298-304. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2014.04.008. Epub 2014 May 8.

Abstract

The present study directly compared diurnal salivary cortisol output and maternal-infant synchrony in low and high socio-economic status (SES) mother-infant dyads. Saliva cortisol samples were collected from 32 6-12-month-old infants and their mothers on the same day in the morning, afternoon and evening, and assayed for free cortisol concentration. Low-SES infants and mothers exhibited higher average salivary cortisol output, without dysregulation, compared to high-SES infants. Low-SES infants and mothers also showed reduced synchrony in cortisol output compared to high-SES infants and mothers. Results are discussed with respect to maternal sensitivity and early stress reduction interventions.

Keywords: Circadian rhythm; Cortisol; HPA-axis; Infancy; Mother–child relations; SES; Stress.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mother-Child Relations / psychology
  • Mothers / psychology
  • Saliva / metabolism*
  • Social Class*
  • Stress, Psychological / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Hydrocortisone