Interindividual differences and intraindividual variability in the cortisol awakening response: An examination of age and gender.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0017910
• Publication Date: 2009-12-22T00:53:39Z
• Authors: David M. Almeida; Jennifer R. Piazza; Robert S. Stawski
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Hydrocortisone; Age Factors; Individuality; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Middle Aged; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female; Wakefulness; Saliva; Stress, Psychological; Aged

This article shows age and gender differences in the magnitude and day-to-day variability of the cortisol awakening response (CAR) using a national sample of 1,143 adults who completed the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences, a part of the Midlife Development in the United States survey. Participants between the ages of 33 and 84 years completed 8 consecutive nightly interviews and provided 4 saliva samples (upon waking, 30 min after waking, before lunch, and before bed) on 4 consecutive interview days. Results revealed substantial day-to-day variability in the CAR as well as significant AgexGender interactions, indicating that although no systematic age-related differences emerged for women, the magnitude and day-to-day variability of the CAR increased with age among men.