Full Citation

Title: Is economic hardship associated with young children's cortisol levels?

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2023

ISBN:

ISSN: 10982302

DOI: 10.1002/dev.22390

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID: 37073596

Abstract: Economic hardship during childhood has been linked to poor physical and mental health. This study examines cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of a summed economic hardship score of poverty, food insecurity, and financial hardship with hair cortisol in young children. Data from 24-month (Time 1, mean age 5 years) and 36-month (Time 2, mean age 6 years) follow-up from the NET-Works obesity prevention trial (NET-Works, NCT0166891) were used. Hair cortisol measures obtained at each time point were log-transformed and regressed on economic hardship at Time 1 and a cumulative economic hardship from Time 1 to Time 2, using generalized linear regressions. All models were adjusted for child age, sex, race/ethnicity, and intervention (prevention vs. control) arm. The final analytic sample sizes ranged from 248 to 287. Longitudinal analyses indicated that for every 1-unit higher economic hardship score at Time 1, hair cortisol at Time 2 follow-up was on average 0.07 log-picograms per milligram (pg/mg) higher (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01, 0.13). For every 1-unit increase in the cumulative economic hardship score between Time 1 and 2, there was a 0.04 log-pg/mg (95% CI: 0.00, 0.07) average higher level of hair cortisol at Time 2 follow-up. Results show suggestive but limited evidence for an association between economic hardship and cortisol in young children.

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Authors: Santaularia, N. Jeanie; Kunin-Batson, Alicia; Sherwood, Nancy E.; Gunnar, Megan R.; French, Simone A.; Mason, Susan M.

Periodical (Full): Developmental psychobiology

Issue: 4

Volume: 65

Pages: e22390

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