Associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly Latino adolescents
Abstract The relationship between cortisol and perceived stress is poorly understood. We sought to determine whether perceived stress is associated with cortisol biomarkers in adolescents. In a sample of 229 adolescents (mean age = 15.8 years) we measured perceived stress with the 14-item Perceived...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| author | Fatimata Sanogo Avaion Ruth Victoria K. Cortessis Li Ding Richard M. Watanabe Marc J. Weigensberg |
| author_facet | Fatimata Sanogo Avaion Ruth Victoria K. Cortessis Li Ding Richard M. Watanabe Marc J. Weigensberg |
| author_sort | Fatimata Sanogo |
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| description | Abstract The relationship between cortisol and perceived stress is poorly understood. We sought to determine whether perceived stress is associated with cortisol biomarkers in adolescents. In a sample of 229 adolescents (mean age = 15.8 years) we measured perceived stress with the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaire, serum cortisol (sCOR), salivary Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR: 30-minute post-awakening - awakening), salivary Diurnal Cortisol Slope (DCS: evening-awakening), and total daily salivary cortisol (TDC). Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate baseline associations between PSS, TDC, and sCOR Mixed effects linear regression was used to estimate baseline associations between PSS and CAR and DCS. A twelve-week longitudinal association between PSS and cortisol biomarkers using random effects regression was tested. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, and BMI. There were statistically significant associations between PSS and TDC (beta= -104.36 ± 34.3; p = 0.002) at baseline and between PSS and DCS at 12 weeks (beta= -0.058 ± 0.02; p = 0.01), but no association between PSS and sCOR or CAR (p > 0.26 for all) at baseline or 12-weeks. There were no associations between change in PSS and change in cortisol biomarkers longitudinally. In adolescents, perceived stress, measured by the PSS, was inconsistently associated with TDC and DCS, and consistently unassociated with CAR and sCOR. Studies reporting on PSS outcomes should exercise caution when making conclusions about cortisol biomarkers. There is a need for greater specificity of psychological stress to understand their relationship with biomarkers of stress. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3072cabb3d554e38918aa9102bb45392 |
| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-3072cabb3d554e38918aa9102bb453922025-08-20T02:08:08ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-011511710.1038/s41598-025-95603-9Associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly Latino adolescentsFatimata Sanogo0Avaion Ruth1Victoria K. Cortessis2Li Ding3Richard M. Watanabe4Marc J. Weigensberg5Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USCDepartment of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USCDepartment of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USCDepartment of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USCDepartment of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USCKeck School of Medicine of USC, USC Diabetes and Obesity Research InstituteAbstract The relationship between cortisol and perceived stress is poorly understood. We sought to determine whether perceived stress is associated with cortisol biomarkers in adolescents. In a sample of 229 adolescents (mean age = 15.8 years) we measured perceived stress with the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaire, serum cortisol (sCOR), salivary Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR: 30-minute post-awakening - awakening), salivary Diurnal Cortisol Slope (DCS: evening-awakening), and total daily salivary cortisol (TDC). Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate baseline associations between PSS, TDC, and sCOR Mixed effects linear regression was used to estimate baseline associations between PSS and CAR and DCS. A twelve-week longitudinal association between PSS and cortisol biomarkers using random effects regression was tested. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, and BMI. There were statistically significant associations between PSS and TDC (beta= -104.36 ± 34.3; p = 0.002) at baseline and between PSS and DCS at 12 weeks (beta= -0.058 ± 0.02; p = 0.01), but no association between PSS and sCOR or CAR (p > 0.26 for all) at baseline or 12-weeks. There were no associations between change in PSS and change in cortisol biomarkers longitudinally. In adolescents, perceived stress, measured by the PSS, was inconsistently associated with TDC and DCS, and consistently unassociated with CAR and sCOR. Studies reporting on PSS outcomes should exercise caution when making conclusions about cortisol biomarkers. There is a need for greater specificity of psychological stress to understand their relationship with biomarkers of stress.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95603-9Perceived stressSalivary cortisolSerum cortisol Latino adolescents |
| spellingShingle | Fatimata Sanogo Avaion Ruth Victoria K. Cortessis Li Ding Richard M. Watanabe Marc J. Weigensberg Associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly Latino adolescents Scientific Reports Perceived stress Salivary cortisol Serum cortisol Latino adolescents |
| title | Associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly Latino adolescents |
| title_full | Associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly Latino adolescents |
| title_fullStr | Associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly Latino adolescents |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly Latino adolescents |
| title_short | Associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly Latino adolescents |
| title_sort | associations between perceived stress and cortisol biomarkers in predominantly latino adolescents |
| topic | Perceived stress Salivary cortisol Serum cortisol Latino adolescents |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95603-9 |
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