Diverse patterns of neuroendocrine activity in maltreated children

Cortisol regulation was investigated in a sample of school-aged maltreated (n = 175) and demographically comparable low-income nonmaltreated (n = 209) children in the context of a day camp research program. Overall group diff erences between maltreated and nonmaltreated children were not found for av erage morning or average afternoon cortisol levels. However, significant va riations were found that were based on the subtypes of maltreatment that th e children had experienced. Maltreated children who had been both physicall y and sexually abused (as well as neglected or emotionally maltreated) exhi bited substantial elevations in morning cortisol levels children who had hi gh (>1 SD) cortisol levels in both the morning and afternoon were also over represented in the multiple abuse group. Developmental timing of maltreatme nt did not account for these group differences, whereas the severity of sex ual abuse was implicated. In contrast to the multiple abuse group, a subgro up of physically abused children showed evidence of a trend toward lower mo rning cortisol relative to nonmaltreated children with a significantly smal ler decrease in cortisol levels from morning to afternoon. The findings are discussed in terms of the diversity of atypical cortisol regulation patter ns that are exhibited among maltreated children.