Adrenocortical reactivity and social competence in seven year-olds

We examined temporal changes in salivary cortisol in response to a peer sel f-presentation task in a group of seven year-olds, some of whom scored high , average, and low on the Harter (1983) Perceived Social Competence Scale, Salivary cortisol was measured pre-task, and 20 and 35 min post-task. We fo und a significant relation between individual differences in perceived soci al competence and salivary cortisol reactivity in response to the task. Chi ldren who perceived themselves as socially competent exhibited a significan tly greater decrease in salivary cortisol from 20 to 35 min following the t ask compared with children who self-reported a relatively lower degree of s ocial competence. We speculate on the meaning of salivary cortisol changes in children's socio-emotional development. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.