Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry
Volume 25, Issue 6 , Pages 764-770, November 1986

Behavioral Correlates of Excreted Catecholamines and Cortisol in Second‐Grade Children

At the time of this writing. Ms. Tennes was Instructor and Dr. Kreye was Research Assistant in the Department of Psyehiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Denver. Colorado. Ms. Avitable was Slatistical Consultant of the Day Care Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Ms. Wells is Assistant Director of the Pediatrie Microchemistry Laboratory, Department of Pediatries, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Reprints may be requested from Katherine Tennes, M.A., 2543 South Holly Place, Denver, CO 80222

Received 15 July 1985; accepted 4 September 1985.

Article Outline

Second-grade children were observed in classrooms on normal school days and on test days from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Levels of excreted cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were determined for the same time periods. Comparison of excreted hormones on normal days and test days indicated that on test days the group mean cortisol excretion rate was elevated over normal days while epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were depressed. Individual differences in excreted hormones were more significantly related to personality variables observed in the classroom then to the effects of academic stress. Cortisol and epinephrine levels correlated positively with social affiliative behavior. Epinephrine and “fidgeting” were inversely related. Norepinephrine levels correlated positively with aggressiveness and negatively with inattentiveness. Teachers' ratings tended to confirm the investigators' observations of children's behavioral traits. Multiple regression analysis of psychological assessments and catecholamine determinations are presented.

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 This study was supported by the William T. Grant Foundation. grant 81075781.We thank teachers and students of the Cherry Creek School District and St. Anne's Episcopal School for their participation, and Cecilia Boyles and Sheri Albrecht for data coding.

PII: S0002-7138(09)60193-X

doi:10.1016/S0002-7138(09)60193-X

Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry
Volume 25, Issue 6 , Pages 764-770, November 1986

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