Peer victimization and diurnal cortisol rhythm among children affected by parental HIV: Mediating effects of emotional regulation and gender differences

Abstract

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity has been demonstrated as one of the physiological mechanisms underlying the long-lasting effects of peer victimization on physical and mental health. However, the mechanisms linking peer victimization to dysregulations of HPA axis activity remain inadequately understood. The present study examined the potential mediating role of emotional regulation in the association between peer victimization and HPA axis activity in a large community-based sample of 645 children affected by parental HIV (M_age = 10.67 years, ranging from 8 to 15 years old). The three-level growth curve model revealed that higher peer victimization was associated with lower emotional regulation, which in turn was related to lower cortisol at awakening and more blunted diurnal slopes in girls, but not in boys. The findings highlight the protective effect of emotional regulation in relation to HPA axis activity in victimized children, particularly in girls.

Keywords: Diurnal cortisol; Emotional regulation; Gender differences; Mediation; Peer victimization.