Social Conflict and Cortisol Regulation

PWP-CCPR-2010-010

Abstract

Chronic stress has been implicated in a variety of adverse health outcomes, from compromised immunity to cardiovascular disease to cognitive decline. The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis has been postulated to play the primary biological role in translating chronic stress into ill health. Stressful stimuli activate the HPA axis and cause an increase in circulating levels of cortisol. Frequent and long-lasting activation of the HPA axis, as occurs in recurrently stressful environments, can in the long run, compromise HPA axis functioning and ultimately affect health. Negative social interactions with family and friends may be a significant source of stress in daily life, constituting the type of recurrently stressful environment that could lead to compromised HPA functioning and altered diurnal cortisol rhythms. We use data from two waves of the Midlife in the U.S. Survey to explore the diurnal cortisol rhythm and its relationship with histories of social conflict. We find that for both men and women, reported levels of social conflict were significantly associated with their diurnal cortisol rhythm. These effects were slightly more pronounced for individuals with a history of social conflict across both waves.