Exploring patterns in cortisol synchrony among anxious and nonanxious mother and child dyads: A preliminary study

Given that anxiety is highly familial, the current pilot study explored the association between anxiety diagnosis and diurnal cortisol rhythm in mother–child dyads with the hypothesis that a predisposition toward homogenous cortisol profiles may partially explain the familial linkage of anxiety. The role of family environment in stress response was also examined. Participants were 27 mother–child dyads. Results indicated that patterns of cortisol secretion between mother and child are synchronous. Maternal anxiety and aspects of family functioning significantly predicted child awakening cortisol pattern. Further, affective involvement and gender of the child significantly predicted mother–child diurnal cortisol secretion synchrony. These findings provide support for the degree of synchrony in patterns of physiological responsiveness between mother and child, as well as the importance of a child's affective environment in the prediction of a diagnosis of anxiety.

► The goal of this study is to explore factors impacting the association between anxiety and HPA axis function among mothers and children.
► We focused on the role of family environment as a factor in mother–child diurnal cortisol synchrony.
► Results indicated that male children tended to have flatter diurnal slopes.
► We also found that mothers of male children with flatter diurnal slopes themselves had flatter diurnal slopes.
► Lastly, families with less affective responsiveness were more strongly influenced by each other's flatter diurnal slope.