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The phenotypic associations and gene–environment underpinnings of socioeconomic status and diurnal cortisol secretion in adolescence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2021

Christina Y. Cantave Open the ORCID record for Christina Y. Cantave [Opens in a new window] ,
Mara Brendgen ,
Stéphane Paquin Open the ORCID record for Stéphane Paquin [Opens in a new window] ,
Sonia Lupien ,
Ginette Dionne ,
Frank Vitaro ,
Michel Boivin  and
Isabelle Ouellet-Morin Open the ORCID record for Isabelle Ouellet-Morin [Opens in a new window]
Christina Y. Cantave
Affiliation:
School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
Mara Brendgen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada
Stéphane Paquin
Affiliation:
School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
Sonia Lupien
Affiliation:
Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
Ginette Dionne
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
Frank Vitaro
Affiliation:
School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada
Michel Boivin
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
Isabelle Ouellet-Morin*
Affiliation:
School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada
*
Corresponding author: Isabelle Ouellet-Morin, email: isabelle.ouellet-morin@umontreal.ca
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Abstract

While converging evidence suggests that both environmental and genetic factors underlie variations in diurnal cortisol, the extent to which these sources of influence vary according to socioeconomic status (SES) has seldom been investigated, particularly in adolescence. To investigate whether a distinct genetic and environmental contribution to youth’s diurnal cortisol secretion emerges according to family SES and whether the timing of these experiences matters. Participants were 592 twin pairs, who mostly came from middle-income and intact families and for whom SES was measured in childhood and adolescence. Diurnal cortisol was assessed at age 14 at awakening, 30 min later, in the afternoon and evening over four nonconsecutive days. SES–cortisol phenotypic associations were specific to the adolescence period. Specifically, higher awakening cortisol levels were detected in wealthier backgrounds, whereas higher cortisol awakening response (CAR) and diurnal changes were present at both ends of the SES continuum. Moreover, smaller genetic contributions emerged for awakening cortisol in youth from poorer compared to wealthier backgrounds. The results suggest that the relative contribution of inherited factors to awakening cortisol secretion may be enhanced or suppressed depending on the socio-family context, which may help to decipher the mechanisms underlying later adjustment.

Keywords

cortisolgene–environment interactionsheritabilityHPA-axissocioeconomic status
Type
Regular Article
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 35 , Issue 3 , August 2023 , pp. 1119 - 1129
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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