Interindividual differences in the susceptibility of the cortisol system: An important factor for the degree of hypercortisolism in stress situations?

Berger, Thomas; Bossert, Sabine; Krieg, Jürgen-Christian; Dirlich, Gerhard; Ettmeier, Werner; Schreiber, Wolfgang; Zerssen, D. von

doi:10.1016/0006-3223(87)90067-9

Cited by 69 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In large part these inconsistencies stem from differences in how stress is defined (Murray et al, 1996), difficulties related to inducing and measuring genuine stress responses in the laboratory (Berger et al, 1987;Kudielka and Kirschbaum, 2005;Ruiz et al, 1996;Scherer, 1979;Tolkmitt and Scherer, 1986), and substantial variation in the magnitude of the stress response across individuals (Berger et al, 1987;Johannes et al, 2000;Kudielka et al, 2007;Streeter et al, 1983). Exam stress, the most significant source of stress experienced by students, peaking just prior to an academic examination (Robotham, 2008), offers an ecologically valid context in which to examine the effects of psychological stress on the voice.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individual differences in cortisol stress response predict increases in voice pitch during exam stress

Pisanski

Nowak

Sorokowski

2016

Physiology & Behavior

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Despite a long history of empirical research, the potential vocal markers of stress remain unclear. Previous studies examining speech under stress most consistently report an increase in voice pitch (the acoustic correlate of fundamental frequency, F0), however numerous studies have failed to replicate this finding. In the present study we tested the prediction that these inconsistencies are tied to variation in the severity of the stress response, wherein voice changes may be observed predominantly among individuals who show a cortisol stress response (i.e., an increase in free cortisol levels) above a critical threshold. Voice recordings and saliva samples were collected from university psychology students at baseline and immediately prior to an oral examination. Voice recordings included both read and spontaneous speech, from which we measured mean, minimum, maximum, and the standard deviation in F0. We observed an increase in mean and minimum F0 under stress in both read and spontaneous speech, whereas maximum F0 and its standard deviation showed no systematic changes under stress. Our results confirmed that free cortisol levels increased by an average of 74% (ranging from 0-270%) under stress. Critically, increases in cortisol concentrations significantly predicted increases in mean F0 under stress for both speech types, but did not predict variation in F0 at baseline. On average, stress-induced increases in voice pitch occurred only when free cortisol levels more than doubled their baseline concentrations. Our results suggest that researchers examining speech under stress should control for individual differences in the magnitude of the stress response.Keywords: speech under stress; fundamental frequency; cortisol; psychological stress; exam stress 3 Highlights• The finding that voice pitch increases under stress is often not replicated• We tested whether this is tied to variation in the severity of the stress response• Voice recordings and saliva were collected at baseline and during exam stress• Increases in cortisol levels predicted voice pitch under stress but not at baseline• Researchers examining speech under stress should control for the stress response

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individual differences in cortisol stress response predict increases in voice pitch during exam stress

Pisanski

Nowak

Sorokowski

2016

Physiology & Behavior

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“…The magnitude of the stress response in vertebrates varies among individuals within a population (Berger et al, 1987;Pottinger et al, 1992;Von Borell and Ladewig, 1992;Cummins and Gevirtz, 1993;Marsland et al, 1995). Because growth, reproduction, and disease resistance are affected by chronic or intermittent activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axis (Johnson et al, 1992) there have been efforts to modify the responsiveness of this system to stressors in animals of economic significance which are often reared under intensive, unavoidably stressful, conditions (Pottinger and Pickering, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modification of the Plasma Cortisol Response to Stress in Rainbow Trout by Selective Breeding

Pottinger

Carrick

1999

General and Comparative Endocrinology

353

202

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The NERC and CEH trademarks and logos ('the Trademarks') are registered trademarks of NERC in the UK and other countries, and may not be used without the prior written consent of the Trademark owner. ABSTRACTMale and female rainbow trout were segregated into high-and low-responding individuals (HR, LR) on the basis of their plasma cortisol response to a 3 h period of confinement imposed at five, monthly, intervals. Consistent divergence was obtained in the responsiveness of the two groups, although the difference between LR and HR groups was greater in female fish (56 c.f. 116 ng ml -1 ) than in males (45 c.f. 69 ng ml -1 ). Progeny groups (full-sib families) were obtained from the pairing of HR males and females and LR males and females. A third progeny group (US) was obtained by random pairing of parents which were not selected as HR or LR. Post-stress plasma cortisol levels in the progeny were first tested at 6 months after hatch and were significantly correlated with the response of the corresponding parental groups, HR>US>LR (178, 126, 81 ng ml -1 respectively). The difference in responsiveness between LR and HR groups was demonstrated in all four subsequent tests over a 12 month period. There were no significant differences in baseline plasma cortisol levels in LR and HR groups prior to confinement. During a 4h period of confinement, the differences in plasma cortisol levels between LR and HR fish were sustained throughout, indicating that the trait upon which the fish were selected was related to absolute maximum levels of circulating cortisol, not the rate of change of cortisol levels during exposure to a stressor. A moderately high heritability (h 2 ) for confinement-induced plasma cortisol of 0.41 was obtained by a parent-progeny regression. Manipulation of stressresponsiveness in fish by selective breeding offers scope for optimising performance under intensive rearing conditions but also provides a useful research tool for investigating the operation of the endocrine stress response.3

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“…Berger et al [14]reported that the presentation of a stressful and upsetting film [John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’, 1978] to a sample of 12 healthy young men induced a significant elevation in plasma cortisol levels.…”

Section: The Psychoendocrine Reaction To Laboratory Stressorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Berger et al [14]reported that a 30-min session of arithmetic tasks under time pressure and distractive stimuli induced a significant rise in plasma cortisol levels in a sample of 12 healthy young men.…”

Section: The Psychoendocrine Reaction To Laboratory Stressorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bossert et al [138]and Berger et al [14]studied cortisol responses to three different psychological stressors and two physical stressors in a sample of 12 healthy male volunteers (mean age 27 years). The stressors were a video-recorded quiz, an arithmetic test, a stressful and upsetting film, a prolonged version of the cold pressor test and bicycle exercise.…”

Section: Factors Modulating Psychoendocrine Reactivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychological Stress and Neuroendocrine Function in Humans: The Last Two Decades of Research

Biondi

Picardi

1999

Psychother Psychosom

313

175

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This paper reviews experimental contributions published in the last two decades and exploring the effect of emotional stress on neuroendocrine function in healthy humans. Laboratory studies allow standardization of the stressor and better control for known confounding factors. Commonly used stressors are mental arithmetics, speech tasks, the Stroop test, videogame playing, films or videotapes and interviews. Little is known about the generalizability of laboratory results, with some studies suggesting great caution in extrapolating data to real-life stress conditions. Another strategy is studying the psychoendocrine reaction to real-life stressors, such as bereavement or anticipated loss, academic examinations, everyday work and parachute jumping. The effects of different stressors on neuroendocrine axes are reviewed, as well as the influence of gender, age, personality, coping style, social support, biological and nonbiological interventions. The subjective perception of the situation is probably a main determinant of the psychoendocrine response pattern. In fact, marked variability in individual responses to a variety of stressors has frequently been observed. Evidently, the ‘objective’ characteristics of a given event are not the only determinants of reaction to the event itself. According to a constructivistic perspective, every given stressor has a strictly personal and idiosyncratic meaning and loses its ‘objective’ characteristics. Of course, biological factors may also play a part. In any case, it is mandatory to overcome a rigid dichotomy between psychological and biological processes. Dualistic conceptions which imply a determination of the physical by the psychological or vice versa should give place to a systemic conception, which implies mutual, circular interactions.

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Interindividual differences in the susceptibility of the cortisol system: An important factor for the degree of hypercortisolism in stress situations?

Cited by 69 publications

References 26 publications

Individual differences in cortisol stress response predict increases in voice pitch during exam stress

Individual differences in cortisol stress response predict increases in voice pitch during exam stress

Modification of the Plasma Cortisol Response to Stress in Rainbow Trout by Selective Breeding

Psychological Stress and Neuroendocrine Function in Humans: The Last Two Decades of Research

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