Marsman Rianne, Rosmalen Judith G M, Oldehinkel Albertine J, Ormel Johan, Buitelaar Jan K
Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 Sep;18(9):565-73. doi: 10.1007/s00787-009-0014-y. Epub 2009 Apr 8.
To examine whether HPA-axis activity mediates the relationship between obstetric complications (OCs) and externalizing behavior problems, and to investigate whether this model is different for boys and girls. In a population-based cohort of 1,768 10- to 12-year-old early adolescents, we assessed the cortisol awakening response and evening cortisol levels. Externalizing behavior problems were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Youth Self-Report. OCs were retrospectively assessed in a parent interview. OCs significantly predicted externalizing behavior problems, but OCs did not predict HPA-axis activity. Thus, the mediation model was not supported. In addition to the relationship between HPA-axis activity and externalizing behavior problems, which is specific for girls, there is also a relationship between OCs and externalizing behavior problems. However, these two mechanisms are not related to each other indicating that HPA-axis activity is not a mediator in the relationship between OCs and externalizing behavior problems. Future research should focus on understanding the mechanism through which OCs cause externalizing behavior problems.
为了研究下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(HPA)轴活动是否介导了产科并发症(OCs)与外化行为问题之间的关系,并调查该模型在男孩和女孩中是否存在差异。在一个基于人群的队列中,对1768名10至12岁的青少年进行研究,我们评估了皮质醇觉醒反应和夜间皮质醇水平。使用儿童行为检查表和青少年自我报告评估外化行为问题。通过家长访谈对OCs进行回顾性评估。OCs显著预测了外化行为问题,但OCs并未预测HPA轴活动。因此,中介模型未得到支持。除了HPA轴活动与外化行为问题之间特定于女孩的关系外,OCs与外化行为问题之间也存在关系。然而,这两种机制彼此不相关,表明HPA轴活动不是OCs与外化行为问题之间关系的中介。未来的研究应专注于理解OCs导致外化行为问题的机制。