Departments of Psychology and Human Development, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, One Magnolia Circle, Peabody Box 40, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA,
J Autism Dev Disord. 2013 Oct;43(10):2426-34. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1791-1.
This study used a stress biomarker, diurnal cortisol, to identify how elevated stress in mothers of children and adults with autism and other disabilities relates to their health and mental health. Based on semi-parametric, group-based trajectory analysis of 91 mothers, two distinctive cortisol trajectories emerged: blunted (63 %) or steep (37 %). Mothers in the blunted (vs. steep) trajectory had higher stress levels, lower health ratings, and 89 % of mothers of children with autism, and 53 % with other disabilities, belonged to this trajectory. Atypical cortisol awakening responses and evening rises were differentially associated with anxiety, depression, health problems and employment status. Stress-reducing interventions are needed for parents of children with autism and other disabilities that include biomarkers as indices of risk or treatment outcome.
本研究使用压力生物标志物——日间皮质醇,来确定自闭症和其他残疾儿童和成人的母亲的压力水平升高与她们的健康和心理健康之间的关系。基于对 91 位母亲的半参数、基于群组的轨迹分析,出现了两种不同的皮质醇轨迹:迟钝(63%)或陡峭(37%)。在迟钝(与陡峭)轨迹中的母亲具有更高的压力水平、更低的健康评分,并且 89%自闭症儿童的母亲和 53%患有其他残疾的母亲属于这一轨迹。非典型的皮质醇觉醒反应和傍晚升高与焦虑、抑郁、健康问题和就业状况存在差异关联。需要针对自闭症和其他残疾儿童的父母开展压力减轻干预,将生物标志物作为风险或治疗结果的指标。