Cumulative stress and cortisol disruption among Black and Hispanic pregnant women in an urban cohort.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0018953
• Publication Date: 2010-10-04T19:23:02Z
• Authors: Shakira Franco Su...; John Staudenmayer; Sheldon Cohen; Michelle Bosquet ...; Janet W. Rich-Edw...; Rosalind J. Wright
• Keywords: Stressor; Cortisol awakening response; Perceived Stress Scale

While adult hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis functioning is thought to be altered by traumatic experiences, little data exist on the effects of cumulative stress HPA among pregnant women or specific racial and ethnic groups. Individuals may increasingly vulnerable physiological alterations when experiencing multiple stressors. These particularly relevant in urban poor communities where exposure stressors more prevalent. The goal this study was explore social a sample Black (n = 68) Hispanic 132) enrolled Asthma Coalition Community, Environment, Social Stress (ACCESS). Pregnant were administered Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (R-CTS) survey assess interpersonal violence, Experiences Discrimination (EOD) survey, Crisis Family Systems-Revised (CRISYS-R) negative life events My Exposure Violence (ETV) which ascertains community violence. A measure derived from these instruments. Salivary cortisol samples collected five times per day over three days area under curve (AUC), morning change, basal awakening response order characterize diurnal salivary patterns. Repeated measures mixed models, stratified race/ethnicity, performed adjusting for education level, age, smoking status, body mass index weeks at time sampling. majority participants (57%) had low exposure, while intermediate (35%) high (41%) exposure. Results showed that but not women, associated with lower levels, including flatter waking bedtime rhythm. analyses suggest combined stressful experiences are disrupted women. etiology racial/ethnic differences stress-induced clear, warrants further research.