ERIC Number: EJ1037894
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Oct
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
Trajectories of Diurnal Cortisol in Mothers of Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: Relations to Health and Mental Health
Dykens, Elisabeth M.; Lambert, Warren
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v43 n10 p2426-2434 Oct 2013
This study used a stress biomarker, diurnal cortisol, to identify how elevated stress in mothers of children and adults with autism and other disabilities relates to their health and mental health. Based on semi-parametric, group-based trajectory analysis of 91 mothers, two distinctive cortisol trajectories emerged: blunted (63%) or steep (37%). Mothers in the blunted (vs. steep) trajectory had higher stress levels, lower health ratings, and 89% of mothers of children with autism, and 53% with other disabilities, belonged to this trajectory. Atypical cortisol awakening responses and evening rises were differentially associated with anxiety, depression, health problems and employment status. Stress-reducing interventions are needed for parents of children with autism and other disabilities that include biomarkers as indices of risk or treatment outcome.
Descriptors: Mothers, Children, Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Anxiety, Health, Mental Health, Depression (Psychology), Employment Level
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A