Effect of ruminations on the saliva cortisol response to a social stressor

Depression is generally precipitated by stressful life events, which sugges ts that there could be differences in response to stress in individuals at risk for depression compared to normal subjects. To test this hypothesis, w e compared individuals who scored high on ruminative coping, a risk factor for depression. to individuals low on ruminative coping. We used the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a mock job interview in front of a panel of judg es, and collected saliva cortisol to assess neuroendocrine response. While we observed a clear effect of the stressor on saliva cortisol secretion, we observed no differences in this response between high and low ruminators. However, the task itself failed to cause a significant increase in ruminati on in either group. suggesting the task itself may not be optimal for testi ng the hypothesis. Finally, a modified version of the TSST in which the sub jects were allowed a longer preparatory period resulted in a markedly dimin ished saliva cortisol response to the TSST. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.