2008
DOI: 10.1002/dev.20300
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Cortisol and externalizing behavior in children and adolescents: Mixed meta‐analytic evidence for the inverse relation of basal cortisol and cortisol reactivity with externalizing behavior

Abstract: An inverse relation between cortisol (re)activity and externalizing behavior has been hypothesized, but research findings seem equivocal. We tested this hypo(re)activity hypothesis in two meta-analyses, one for basal cortisol (k ¼ 72 studies, N ¼ 5,480) and one for cortisol reactivity to a stressor (k ¼ 29 studies, N ¼ 2,601). No association was found between cortisol reactivity and externalizing behaviors (r ¼ À.04, 95% CI ¼ À.11, .02). However, the relation between basal cortisol and externalizing behavior w… Show more

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Cited by 316 publications
(342 citation statements)
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“…Based on our own observations and reports from other laboratories (e.g., Clements, Parker, Dixon, & Salley, 2007), we posited that a small but significant proportion of children show such behavior and that it is related to the children's difficulties in regulating their emotions, behavior, and physiological responsivity in the face of challenge. Findings in support of this hypothesis would provide further evidence that children differ in their response and capacity to cope with stress, but at the same time would raise concerns that children with special difficulties would not be represented in study samples or, if they manage to comply, would have extreme levels of cortisol (e.g., Alink et al, 2008;Ruttle et al, 2011) that could skew distributions and group averages.…”
Section: Developmental Psychobiologymentioning
confidence: 83%
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“…Based on our own observations and reports from other laboratories (e.g., Clements, Parker, Dixon, & Salley, 2007), we posited that a small but significant proportion of children show such behavior and that it is related to the children's difficulties in regulating their emotions, behavior, and physiological responsivity in the face of challenge. Findings in support of this hypothesis would provide further evidence that children differ in their response and capacity to cope with stress, but at the same time would raise concerns that children with special difficulties would not be represented in study samples or, if they manage to comply, would have extreme levels of cortisol (e.g., Alink et al, 2008;Ruttle et al, 2011) that could skew distributions and group averages.…”
Section: Developmental Psychobiologymentioning
confidence: 83%
“…However, externalizing symptoms also can be related to exuberance and approach behavior (e.g., Fox, Henderson, Rubin, Calkins, & Schmidt, 2001), which could fuel children's readiness to partake in new and arousing situations (e.g., saliva collection), which in turn could override or temper a tendency toward noncompliance. We note that externalizing and internalizing symptoms have been related to cortisol levels in young children, although results of previous studies have not been consistent (e.g., Alink et al, 2008;Eisenberg et al, 2010;Gunnar et al, 2009;Ruttle et al, 2011). We also note that externalizing and internalizing disorders are frequently comorbid, although there is evidence that their trajectories and predisposing factors may differ, at least in some children (review in Oland & Shaw, 2005).…”
Section: Developmental Psychobiologymentioning
confidence: 87%
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“…Poustka et al, 2010), and yet others find no association (e.g. Alink et al, 2008). We believe that a positive association is most plausible.…”
Section: Basal Hormonesmentioning
confidence: 95%