Hair Steroid Before and After COVID-19 in Preschoolers: The Moderation of Family Characteristics

    May 2024 in “ Psychoneuroendocrinology ”
    Éloise Berger, Marie‐Pier Larose, France Capuano, Marie‐Josée Letarte, Marie‐Claude Geoffroy, Sonia Lupien, Mara Brendgen, Michel Boivin, Frank Vitaro, Richard E. Tremblay, Benoı̂t Mâsse, Sylvana M. Côté, Isabelle Ouellet‐Morin
    TLDR Family dynamics affect preschoolers' stress levels, especially DHEA.
    This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physiological stress in 136 preschoolers by measuring hair steroid concentrations before and after the pandemic onset. Results showed no significant changes in most hair steroids, indicating that stress biomarkers remained comparable despite the pandemic's perceived stress. However, family characteristics played a moderating role; children from families with better conflict resolution had lower DHEA levels, while lower family cohesion and income were linked to higher DHEA levels, suggesting these factors influence children's physiological stress. Boys exhibited higher DHEA levels than girls. The study highlights the importance of family dynamics in relation to stress biomarkers, particularly DHEA.
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