Citation

Joyce PR, Williamson SA, McKenzie JM, Frampton CM, Luty SE, Porter RJ, Mulder RT. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Psychiatry 2007; 41(1): 62-65.

Affiliation

Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. peter.joyce@chmeds.ac.nz

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1080/00048670601050473

PMID

17464682

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of childhood abuse and parental bonding on cortisol levels in depressed adults. METHODS: Mean afternoon cortisol levels were measured in 192 depressed adult patients at the beginning of a treatment trial. Childhood experiences of physical and sexual abuse were ascertained by interview, and perceived parenting by self-report. RESULTS: Maternal affectionless control, childhood sexual and physical abuse were all associated with cortisol levels. CONCLUSION: Childhood experiences, especially maternal affectionless control, appear to be related to hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis function in depressed adults.

Language: en