Stressful life events and daily stressors affect awakening cortisol level in midlife mothers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Objectives: The current study examines the awakening cortisol level in midlife mothers (M = 51.4 years old, SD = 8.4) of individuals (M = 22.1 years old, SD = 7.1) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) under stressful conditions that are not specific to their son or daughter's ASD symptoms. Methods: In addition to completing a set of questionnaires and in-home interviews, 82 mothers from the Adolescents and Adults with Autism Study (AAA) participated in a Daily Diary Study. Results: Findings from the multilevel models indicated that mothers who previously were exposed to no negative life events in the previous period had an increased awakening cortisol level on days following a greater number and more severe stressors, a normative stress response. In contrast, we observed a flatter cortisol level of daily stressors in mothers who experienced a greater number of negative life events in the previous period. Conclusion: These findings highlight the sustained toll that global and everyday stressors have on awakening cortisol level of midlife and aging mothers of individuals with ASD.

Keywords:

• stress
• caregivers
• cortisol

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging to support longitudinal research on families of adolescents and adults with autism (R01 AG08768, M.M. Seltzer, PI). Support also was obtained from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development for grant T32 HD07489 to M.M. Seltzer, PI, and for grant P30 HD03352 to M.M. Seltzer, PI.