Feasibility of Hair Collection for Cortisol Measurement in Population Research on Adolescent Health

Abstract

Background Black-White disparities in adolescent health are widespread and thought to be explained, in part, by exposure to chronic stress. Cortisol assayed from hair is increasingly recognized as a valid and reliable measure for chronic physiologic stress, but the feasibility of collecting hair among large probability samples of diverse adolescents is unknown. Purpose To investigate participation in hair collection for cortisol analyses in a probability sample of racially and socioeconomically diverse adolescents, including the extent to which sociodemographic factors and adverse exposures were associated with participation. Methods The study included a probability sample of 516 adolescents conducted in conjunction with a prospective cohort study on adolescent health. Data were collected over one week via in-home interviews, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), global positioning system (GPS) methods, and in-home hair collection at the end of the week. Results Of the 516 eligible youth, 471 (91.3%) participated in the hair collection. Of the 45 youth who did not provide hair samples, 18 had insufficient hair, 25 refused, and two did not participate for unknown reasons. Multivariable logistic regression results indicated non-Hispanic Black/African-American youth were less likely than their non-Hispanic White peers to participate due to insufficient hair or refusal (OR = 0.24, 95% CI [0 .09, 0.60]). Despite lower rates of participation, the proportion of Black/African-American youth in the participating sample was representative of the study area. No significant differences in participation were found by other sociodemographic characteristics or adverse exposures. Conclusions Hair collection for cortisol measurement is feasible among a probability sample of racially and socioeconomically diverse adolescents. Hair cortisol analyses may accelerate research progress to understand the biological and psychosocial bases of health disparities.

Toxic stress and protective factors in multi‐ethnic school age children: A research protocol

“…We anticipated that biomarker collection in children might have presented concerns for parents in the current study, particularly for ethnic minority families who may mistrust medical research or attribute specific cultural meanings to hair or saliva collection in children (Corbie‐Smith, Thomas, & George, ; Ford, Boch, & McCarthy, ). Thus, detailed field notes regarding feasibility and strategies used for hair and saliva collection in children were recorded after every visit.…”

Depressive symptoms are associated with salivary shedding of Epstein-Barr virus in female adolescents: The role of sex differences

“…The sampling procedures for the study have been previously described elsewhere. (Ford et al, 2016) Briefly, households were mailed a flyer describing the study with instructions to call if they were interested in participating. Trained interviewers also called to determine interest and eligibility (youth aged 11–17 years, 1 primary caregiver and English speaking).…”

Development of a culturally informed protocol for hair cortisol sampling in Black women

“…Currently, participation in hair collection for research appears to be lower for Black women. Ford and colleagues found lower rates of participation for Black youth than non‐Hispanic White youth in their study of hair sampling acceptability in those populations (Ford, Boch, & McCarthy, ), though they did not report rates specifically for Black girls. In a literature search, no study was identified that formally assessed acceptability and feasibility of hair sampling for African‐American (AA) women in young adulthood, and this paper addresses that gap.…”