DeSantis, Amy S. and Adam, Emma K. and Hawkley, Louise C. and Kudielka, Brigitte M. and Cacioppo, John T. (2015) Racial and Ethnic Differences in Diurnal Cortisol Rhythms: Are They Consistent Over Time? PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE, 77 (1). pp. 6-15. ISSN 0033-3174, 1534-7796
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Background Prior research indicates that blacks and Hispanics/Latinos have flatter diurnal cortisol declines across the day, a profile associated with poorer health. The stability of racial and ethnic differences in cortisol levels over time is not well understood, and additional research is needed to establish racial and ethnic differences in psychosocial stress levels as related to changes in cortisol levels. Methods With data from a community-based study of 152 adults (mean age = 58 years; 53% women; 34% black, 26% Hispanic/Latino), we examined the magnitude of racial and ethnic differences over a 5-year period. Salivary cortisol samples were obtained 3 times per day for 3 days in Years 1, 3, 4, and 5. Life events and chronic stress were assessed by questionnaires in which participants reported on whether they had experienced specific types of events or stress within the past year. Depressive symptoms scales (Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale) were also administered annually. Daily cortisol slopes were calculated by subtracting wakeup cortisol from bedtime levels and dividing by hours awake. Results Increases in psychosocial stress were associated with flatter cortisol slopes among blacks ( = 0.010) and Hispanics/Latinos ( = 0.014), although including cardiovascular disease risk factors attenuates associations in blacks ( = 0.007; p = .125). Higher income predicts a steepening of cortisol rhythms across the study ( = -0.003; p = .019). Conclusions Racial and ethnic differences in diurnal cortisol rhythms are stable over time. However, the magnitude of changes in cortisol levels associated with chronic stress levels may vary by racial and ethnic subgroups.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS; MENSTRUAL-CYCLE PHASE; SALIVARY CORTISOL; AFRICAN-AMERICAN; SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS; BLOOD-PRESSURE; YOUNG-ADULTS; STRESS; DISCRIMINATION; RESPONSES; cortisol; HPA axis; race; ethnicity; health disparities |
| Subjects: | 100 Philosophy & psychology > 150 Psychology |
| Divisions: | Psychology and Pedagogy > Institut für Psychologie > Lehrstuhl für Psychologie VII (Medizinische Psychologie, Psychologische Diagnostik und Methodenlehre) - Prof. Dr. Brigitte Kudielka |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Aug 2019 09:41 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Aug 2019 09:41 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/6323 |
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