Skip to main content

Interactions between salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase as predictors of children's cognitive functioning and academic performance.

Author
Abstract
:

<p>We examined relations between salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase (sAA), and children&#39;s cognitive and academic functioning. Of interest were curvilinear and interactive effects of these salivary measures on cognitive and academic performance. Data were based on a sample of 28 boys and 36 girls (ages 8 and 9) in the Southeastern U.S.A. Children provided resting afternoon saliva samples. Children completed standardized tests of Intellectual Ability and schools provided academic achievement information. Regression analyses demonstrated significant curvilinear relations and interactions between cortisol and sAA in the prediction of child functioning. Contrary to current models of interactions among biological systems, findings indicated some of the highest and lowest scores were predicted at moderate levels of physiological arousal. For example, children with moderate sAA and either higher or lower cortisol had low predicted scores for Reading Ability. Children with moderate cortisol and lower sAA had the highest predicted scores for Intellectual Ability. Findings suggest that the study of interactions between biological stress response systems should not be based on models of rectilinear interactions.</p>

Year of Publication
:
1969
Journal
:
Physiology & behavior
Volume
:
105
Issue
:
4
Number of Pages
:
987-95
Date Published
:
2012 Feb 28
ISSN Number
:
0031-9384
URL
:
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0031-9384(11)00524-5
DOI
:
10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.11.005
Short Title
:
Physiol Behav
Download citation