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Salivary Cortisol Mediates Effects of Poverty and Parenting on Executive Functions in Early Childhood

Author

Listed:
  • Clancy Blair

    (Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University)

  • Douglas A. Granger

    (Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University)

  • Michael Willoughby

    (Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center)

  • Roger Mills-Koonce

    (Center for Developmental Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Martha Cox

    (Center for Developmental Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Mark T. Greenberg

    (Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University)

  • Katie T. Kivlighan

    (Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University)

  • Christine K. Fortunato

    (Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University)

  • FLP Investigators

    (Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center, Center for Developmental Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Abstract

In a predominantly low-income population-based longitudinal sample of 1,292 children followed from birth, higher level of salivary cortisol assessed at ages 7, 15, and 24 months was uniquely associated with lower executive function ability and to a lesser extent IQ at age 3 years. Measures of positive and negative aspects of parenting and household risk were also uniquely related to both executive functions and IQ. The effect of positive parenting on executive functions was partially mediated through cortisol. Typical or resting level of cortisol was increased in African American relative to White participants. In combination with positive and negative parenting and household risk, cortisol mediated effects of African American ethnicity, income-to-need, and maternal education on child cognitive ability.

Suggested Citation

  • Clancy Blair & Douglas A. Granger & Michael Willoughby & Roger Mills-Koonce & Martha Cox & Mark T. Greenberg & Katie T. Kivlighan & Christine K. Fortunato & FLP Investigators, 2011. "Salivary Cortisol Mediates Effects of Poverty and Parenting on Executive Functions in Early Childhood," Working Papers 2011-019, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2011-019
    Note: ECI
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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Blair_Granger_Willoughby_etal_2011_salivary-cortisol.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2011
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Heckman, James J., 2007. "The Economics, Technology and Neuroscience of Human Capability Formation," IZA Discussion Papers 2875, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Fernald, Lia C.H. & Gunnar, Megan R., 2009. "Poverty-alleviation program participation and salivary cortisol in very low-income children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(12), pages 2180-2189, June.
    3. repec:mpr:mprres:5983 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    2. Young Sun Joo & Woon Kyung Lee, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19-related Stress on Preschool Children’s Internalizing and Externalizing Problem Behaviors: The Indirect Effect of Mother’s Depression and Parenting Behavior," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(6), pages 2093-2113, December.
    3. Boisvert, Danielle & Wells, Jessica & Armstrong, Todd A. & Lewis, Richard H., 2018. "Serotonin and self-control: A genetically moderated stress sensitization effect," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 98-106.
    4. Wei Lu & Nian Liu & Juan Chen, 2022. "Subjective Social Mobility among Migrant Children in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, May.
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    7. Nozaki, Yuko & Matsuura, Katsumi, 2020. "The impact of household resources on child behavioral problems," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 282-292.

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