Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Aging Ment Health. 2012;16(8):939-49. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2012.688191. Epub 2012 May 29.
The current study examines the awakening cortisol level in midlife mothers (M = 51.4 years old, SD = 8.4) of individuals (M = 22.1 years old, SD = 7.1) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) under stressful conditions that are not specific to their son or daughter's ASD symptoms.
In addition to completing a set of questionnaires and in-home interviews, 82 mothers from the Adolescents and Adults with Autism Study (AAA) participated in a Daily Diary Study.
Findings from the multilevel models indicated that mothers who previously were exposed to no negative life events in the previous period had an increased awakening cortisol level on days following a greater number and more severe stressors, a normative stress response. In contrast, we observed a flatter cortisol level of daily stressors in mothers who experienced a greater number of negative life events in the previous period.
These findings highlight the sustained toll that global and everyday stressors have on awakening cortisol level of midlife and aging mothers of individuals with ASD.
本研究考察了在非特定于子女自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)症状的应激条件下,中年母亲(M=51.4 岁,SD=8.4)的觉醒皮质醇水平。
除了完成一系列问卷和家访外,82 名来自自闭症青少年和成人研究(AAA)的母亲参加了每日日记研究。
多层次模型的结果表明,在上一个时期没有经历过负性生活事件的母亲,在经历更多和更严重的应激源后,觉醒皮质醇水平会升高,这是一种正常的应激反应。相比之下,我们观察到在经历过更多负性生活事件的母亲中,皮质醇水平对日常应激源的反应更平缓。
这些发现强调了全球和日常应激源对 ASD 个体中年和老年母亲觉醒皮质醇水平的持续影响。