Cortisol is a critical stress hormone , and the authors of the current study provide a brief overview of the physiology and pathology associated with cortisol. Cortisol concentrations normally follow a diurnal pattern, with peak levels occurring approximately 30 minutes after waking and a nadir at nighttime. Among children, this pattern is usually fully established by age 2 years. Severe, acute stress usually provokes a sharp increase in serum cortisol concentrations.
However, when stress is chronic, the opposite occurs and cortisol levels are blunted in the morning. Therefore, a flat diurnal slope of serum cortisol concentrations is a sign of chronic stress. The current study by Bernard and colleagues uses this physiologic framework to evaluate the efficacy of a parenting training program among children referred to Child Protective Services for possible neglect during infancy. Previous…
