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Individual differences in the diurnal cycle of cortisol.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Smyth, JM; Ockenfels, MC; Gorin, AA; Catley, D; Porter, LS; Kirschbaum, C; Hellhammer, DH; Stone, AA
Published in: Psychoneuroendocrinology
February 1997

This study investigated individual differences in the diurnal cycle of cortisol and explored their relation to several psychosocial variables and to upper-respiratory symptoms. Cortisol and daily experience were assessed for 2 days in 109 healthy employed and unemployed community residents (mean age = 36.4 +/- 12.1, 69% female); self-report upper respiratory illness (URI) symptoms were assessed for an additional 10 days. Fifty-six (51%) participants showed typical declines in cortisol during both days, 19 (17%) showed no significant diurnal pattern on both days, and 34 (31%) showed different diurnal patterns on the 2 days. Individuals with no cycles did not differ from those with normal or inconsistent cycles on demographic factors, baseline psychological measures, health behaviors, or daily experiences over the two assessment days. Individuals without cortisol cycles, however, reported fewer URI symptoms than the remaining subjects. That 17% of our sample did not exhibit diurnal cycles of cortisol was surprising, given established views of normal endocrine function. Although average daily level of cortisol is related to a number of psychosocial and psychiatric factors (e.g. stress and depression), pattern of diurnal cycle was not related to any demographic or psychosocial measures in this study. The finding that flat cycles were related to fewer reports of URI symptoms suggests that perturbations in cycle may be related to processes associated with symptom susceptibility or symptom expression.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Psychoneuroendocrinology

DOI

ISSN

0306-4530

Publication Date

February 1997

Volume

22

Issue

2

Start / End Page

89 / 105

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Unemployment
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Risk Factors
  • Respiratory Tract Infections
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Individuality
  • Hydrocortisone
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Smyth, J. M., Ockenfels, M. C., Gorin, A. A., Catley, D., Porter, L. S., Kirschbaum, C., … Stone, A. A. (1997). Individual differences in the diurnal cycle of cortisol. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 22(2), 89–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(96)00039-x
Smyth, J. M., M. C. Ockenfels, A. A. Gorin, D. Catley, L. S. Porter, C. Kirschbaum, D. H. Hellhammer, and A. A. Stone. “Individual differences in the diurnal cycle of cortisol.Psychoneuroendocrinology 22, no. 2 (February 1997): 89–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(96)00039-x.
Smyth JM, Ockenfels MC, Gorin AA, Catley D, Porter LS, Kirschbaum C, et al. Individual differences in the diurnal cycle of cortisol. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1997 Feb;22(2):89–105.
Smyth, J. M., et al. “Individual differences in the diurnal cycle of cortisol.Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 22, no. 2, Feb. 1997, pp. 89–105. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(96)00039-x.
Smyth JM, Ockenfels MC, Gorin AA, Catley D, Porter LS, Kirschbaum C, Hellhammer DH, Stone AA. Individual differences in the diurnal cycle of cortisol. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1997 Feb;22(2):89–105.
Journal cover image

Published In

Psychoneuroendocrinology

DOI

ISSN

0306-4530

Publication Date

February 1997

Volume

22

Issue

2

Start / End Page

89 / 105

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Unemployment
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Risk Factors
  • Respiratory Tract Infections
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Individuality
  • Hydrocortisone