Poster #18 - Flatter Maternal Cortisol Slope Mediates Economic Stress Effects on Family Sleep Problems

• In Event: 3-053 - Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: PS 10 Section - Biological Processes: Psychophysiology

Integrative Statement

Background: Regulation of maternal HPA-axis in mothers is closely tied to HPA-axis functioning in their children, and is a putative mechanism through which environmental risks may become biologically embedded (Laurent et al., 2012). The current study specifically explores effects of family- and cultural-level stressors on cortisol patterning in a population of primarily Latina mothers. Specifically, we examine diurnal cortisol slopes in relation to family sleep quality given a plethora of evidence for the importance of sufficient and high-quality sleep for young children (Bates et al., 2002). Additionally, we explore family risk factors such as financial difficulties and challenges associated with acculturation. Given the high potential impact of discrimination on physiological functioning (Zeiders, Hoyt, & Adam, 2014) and the growing populations of Latinos in the U.S., studies with Latino families are crucial for understanding physical health of Latina mothers and the downstream effects of stress on their children.

Methods: 138 preschoolers (5-46 months, M=24.78 months) participated in the study. Mothers provided saliva samples across 2 consecutive days to be assayed for diurnal cortisol levels, including 3 in response to waking in the morning and one before going to sleep at night. Mothers completed questionnaires about the amount of sleep and sleep quality of their children and their family. Additionally, mothers answered questions relating to perceived economic hardship, which asked about the family’s ability to pay for basic household needs such as rent, gas, and electricity. With 73.1% of mothers identifying as Latina and 59.1% born in a Latin country, mothers also filled out the Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA; Ryder, Alden, & Paulhus, 2000) which uses measures how strongly individuals identify with their heritage culture versus mainstream American culture.

Results: Maternal patterns of diurnal cortisol were calculated by subtracting bedtime cortisol values from the highest waking value. Regression analyses indicated that mothers’ stronger identification with their heritage culture predicted greater cortisol change from wake to bedtime, F(1, 88) = .027, p<.01, while greater economic hardship predicted flatter slopes of cortisol levels throughout the day for mothers, F(1, 90) = -.11, p<.05. In turn, flatter diurnal cortisol profiles predicted poorer family sleep quality F(1, 81) = 9.16, p<.05. When examining the relation between economic hardship and sleep quality, greater economic hardship was related to poorer family sleep quality F(1, 136)= -4.15, p<.01. These results suggest that maternal diurnal cortisol slopes mediate the effect of economic stress on family sleep problems.

Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that economic hardship is related to flatter slope in maternal diurnal cortisol patterning as well as to sleep problems in the family. Furthermore, previous research demonstrates that sufficient, high-quality sleep matters significantly for the well-being of the child and the family. Based on our results, economic hardship may be impacting family sleep by causing physiologic stress, as reflected in maternal cortisol slope across the day. Consequently, HPA-axis functioning appears to be an important mechanism through which stressors affect family sleep, and can also be buffered through the protective process of having a stronger identification with one’s heritage culture.

Authors

• Amy Dominguez, University of Denver
  Presenting Author

• Keimarisse Colon-Diaz, Albizu University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lisa J. Schlueter, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Sabin Research Institute
  Non-Presenting Author

• Natasha Link, University of Maryland Baltimore County
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sarah Enos Watamura, UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
  Non-Presenting Author