Title | Stressful life events and daily stressors affect awakening cortisol level in midlife mothers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2012 |
Authors | Wong, JD, Seltzer, MM, Greenberg, JS, Hong, J, Almeida, DM, Coe, CL |
Journal | Aging Ment Health |
Volume | 16 |
Issue | 8 |
Pagination | 939-49 |
Date Published | 2012 |
ISSN | 1364-6915 |
Keywords | Activities of Daily Living, Adolescent, Adult, Aging, Autistic Disorder, Child, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Life Change Events, Male, Mother-Child Relations, Mothers, Saliva, Severity of Illness Index, Socioeconomic Factors, Stress, Psychological, Surveys and Questionnaires, Wakefulness |
Abstract | <p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>The current study examines the awakening cortisol level in midlife mothers (M = 51.4 years old, SD = 8.4) of individuals (M = 22.1 years old, SD = 7.1) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) under stressful conditions that are not specific to their son or daughter's ASD symptoms.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>In addition to completing a set of questionnaires and in-home interviews, 82 mothers from the Adolescents and Adults with Autism Study (AAA) participated in a Daily Diary Study.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Findings from the multilevel models indicated that mothers who previously were exposed to no negative life events in the previous period had an increased awakening cortisol level on days following a greater number and more severe stressors, a normative stress response. In contrast, we observed a flatter cortisol level of daily stressors in mothers who experienced a greater number of negative life events in the previous period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>These findings highlight the sustained toll that global and everyday stressors have on awakening cortisol level of midlife and aging mothers of individuals with ASD.</p> |
DOI | 10.1080/13607863.2012.688191 |
Alternate Journal | Aging Ment Health |
PubMed ID | 22640177 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC3434247 |
Grant List | P30 HD003352 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States T32 HD007489 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States P30 HD03352 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States R01 AG008768 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01AG08768 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R24 HD041025 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States T32 HD07489 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States |