Reactivity to acute psychosocial stress in the framework of a physiological multidimensional pattern affects several individual-level systems that include genetic factors and features related to personality development. The 5-HTTLPR genotype has been implicated in the modulation of susceptibility to environmental stimuli.

In the present study, 91 healthy young women were investigated (i) for their reactivity to a standardized psychosocial laboratory stressor (TSST), as measured by changes in salivary cortisol; (ii) in terms of 5-httlpr genotype and (iii) in terms of their personality profile according to the post-rationalist personal meaning organizations (PMOs), which are considered as adaptive modes of response to environmental stressors.

Participants were divided into three 5-HTTLPR genotype groups (s/s; s/l, and l/s). The quantitative and qualitative variables that may affect circulating cortisol were compared among the three groups. A multiple linear quantile regression analysis was then performed to evaluate the effect of the personality profile, as Outward/Inward PMO, and 5-HTTLPR genotype on the median level of cortisol, considered as dependent variable.

Comparison of the variables that may affect circulating cortisol no significant differences. Salivary cortisol changed significantly in the course of the TSST. Reactivity to stress was affected by personality profile and the 5-HTTLPR genotype and also by body mass index and age.

The present data suggest that the psychosocial stress response is a multidimensional physiological event that is affected by a variety of factors as diverse as 5-HTTLPR genotype, personality profile, BMI, and age.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.