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Links between early baseline cortisol, attachment classification, and problem behaviors: A test of differential susceptibility versus diathesis-stress.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Fong, MC; Measelle, J; Conradt, E; Ablow, JC
Published in: Infant Behav Dev
February 2017

The purpose of the current study was to predict concurrent levels of problem behaviors from young children's baseline cortisol and attachment classification, a proxy for the quality of caregiving experienced. In a sample of 58 children living at or below the federal poverty threshold, children's baseline cortisol levels, attachment classification, and problem behaviors were assessed at 17 months of age. We hypothesized that an interaction between baseline cortisol and attachment classification would predict problem behaviors above and beyond any main effects of baseline cortisol and attachment. However, based on limited prior research, we did not predict whether or not this interaction would be more consistent with diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility models. Consistent with diathesis-stress theory, the results indicated no significant differences in problem behavior levels among children with high baseline cortisol. In contrast, children with low baseline cortisol had the highest level of problem behaviors in the context of a disorganized attachment relationship. However, in the context of a secure attachment relationship, children with low baseline cortisol looked no different, with respect to problem behavior levels, then children with high cortisol levels. These findings have substantive implications for the socioemotional development of children reared in poverty.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Infant Behav Dev

DOI

EISSN

1934-8800

Publication Date

February 2017

Volume

46

Start / End Page

158 / 168

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Saliva
  • Prospective Studies
  • Problem Behavior
  • Poverty
  • Object Attachment
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Infant Behavior
  • Infant
 

Citation

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Fong, M. C., Measelle, J., Conradt, E., & Ablow, J. C. (2017). Links between early baseline cortisol, attachment classification, and problem behaviors: A test of differential susceptibility versus diathesis-stress. Infant Behav Dev, 46, 158–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.01.005
Fong, Michelle C., Jeffrey Measelle, Elisabeth Conradt, and Jennifer C. Ablow. “Links between early baseline cortisol, attachment classification, and problem behaviors: A test of differential susceptibility versus diathesis-stress.Infant Behav Dev 46 (February 2017): 158–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.01.005.
Fong, Michelle C., et al. “Links between early baseline cortisol, attachment classification, and problem behaviors: A test of differential susceptibility versus diathesis-stress.Infant Behav Dev, vol. 46, Feb. 2017, pp. 158–68. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.01.005.

Published In

Infant Behav Dev

DOI

EISSN

1934-8800

Publication Date

February 2017

Volume

46

Start / End Page

158 / 168

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Saliva
  • Prospective Studies
  • Problem Behavior
  • Poverty
  • Object Attachment
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Infant Behavior
  • Infant