Abstract
This study examined daily cortisol levels in adults with low-to-moderate childhood adversity and with minority racial group statuses. Previous studies have found that severe childhood adversity is associated with a flattening of the expected diurnal cortisol curve, there has been limited and contradictory research among those with low-to-moderate levels of childhood adversity. Furthermore, there is a need for research into the different effects of early life adversity in the health of minority adults, as minority children are exposed to higher rates of childhood adversity than White children. Sixty-one adult participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), along with racial demographic questionnaires. CTQ scores were low-to-moderate, ranging from 37-73 (mean=45.4 ± 8.7 SD). CTQ score was significantly correlated with lower cortisol at wake-up (r=-.35, p=.006). Cortisol was significantly decreased at wake-up in those with low-to-moderate adversity (n=29) (r=-.35, p=.006) compared to those without (n=32). Additionally, cortisol was significantly increased in the afternoon (at wake-up + 9 hours) in those with increased childhood adversity (t=2.79, p=.007). A repeated measures analysis of covariance found that those with increased childhood adversity had a blunted daily curve (time effect: F (2.7, 166.8) = 2.92; p < .043). There was no significant relationship between minority racial group status and childhood adversity (p=.263), or the diurnal cortisol slope (p=.624). These findings signify low-to-moderate levels of childhood adversity as a potential precursor of many physical health disorders associated with a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.