NCJ Number
232238
Journal
Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: October-December 2009 Pages: 287-296
Date Published
October 2009
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between maternal psychological functioning and hormonal indicators in children who have recently experienced a large-scale disaster.
Abstract
Concordant assessments of psychological functioning, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), and cortisol activity were taken for children (n = 28, 6-10 yrs) and their mothers two months after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina and living in a relocation camp. Multilevel regression models revealed that the psychological functioning of the displaced children did not differ from that of demographically matched controls (n = 19 children), but the displaced group had higher sAA activity and lower cortisol levels. Compared to control mothers, displaced mothers showed higher sAA activity; greater symptoms of depression, distress, and anxiety; and lower self-esteem. Maternal psychological functioning was related to children's endocrine activity. The results suggest that pervasive stress exposure may be associated with unique psychobiological distress regulation for mother-child dyads. Table and references (Published Abstract)