Linking early adversity to trait level cortisol: The role of cultural resilience in latino adolescents

Abstract

Latent trait cortisol (LTC) has been established across multiple samples as a stable person-level indicator of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning. However, extant research among predominantly non-Hispanic White samples linking early life adversity to LTC has produced inconsistent findings, likely due to methodological and demographic differences. Using a cultural neurobiological framework, we examined whether cultural resilience factors (ethnic racial identity [ERI], bicultural competence [BC]) may promote healthier LTC levels and protect against the deleterious effects of exposure to early adversity among Latino adolescents. Salivary cortisol was collected five times a day across three weekdays in a sample of 197 Latino high school seniors (M age =18.1; 64.4 % female). Self-reported questionnaires assessing demographics, health behaviors, adverse experiences, ERI, and BC (i.e., comfort and facility subscales) were also collected. Confirmatory factor analysis modeled LTC using waking and 30-minute post-waking samples. Structural equation modeling revealed that greater early adversity predicted lower LTC (b = -.21, SE =.08, p = .04). We found no promotive nor protective effects of ERI. Bicultural facility predicted greater LTC (b =.25, SE =.08, p = .02) but did not moderate the association between adversity and LTC. Consistent with hypo-arousal theories, early adversity was associated with reduced trait-like physiological stress regulation (LTC) among Latino adolescents, whereas the ease with which youth navigate host and heritage culture demands was linked with higher LTC levels (i.e., better physiological stress regulation). Burgeoning literature establishing LTC as a trait-level cortisol construct should continue to be contextualized by known risk factors as well as culturally salient processes.