FAMILIAR AND NOVEL CONTEXTS YIELD DIFFERENT ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN CORTISOL AND BEHAVIOR AMONG 2-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

We examined 10:30 a.m. salivary cortisol levels in twenty-four 2-year- old children at home, and then at several points during transition int o preschool. Week 1, Weeks 6-9, and the 1st week following a month-lon g holiday break. Cortisol levels did not increase when the children fi rst started school as compared to either home or later school levels. Cortisol levels were correlated across similar, but not across dissimi lar, psychosocial contests. Home levels were correlated with more shy, anxious, internalizing behavior, while the response to starting schoo l was correlated with more assertive, angry, and aggressive behavior. Behavior was assessed using parent temperament reports, teacher report s, and observational measures. We conclude that HPA activity as indexe d by salivary cortisol measures is differentially associated with beha vior in familial and novel contexts. Consistent with our prior work, s hy/anxious behavior is not significantly associated with elevations in cortisol when young children enter new social situations. (C) 1998 Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Inc.