It appears that your browser may be outdated and performance may be limited. The My Study builder is best viewed with the latest internet browsers. However, if you’d prefer to use our standard form, you can access it below.

Go to Internet Explorer Quick Quote Form

Dismiss this message

Salivary Bioscience News

Research highlights multi-system perspective for motivation, adolescent depressive symptoms, and HPA axis activation

An exploratory analysis of the joint contribution of HPA axis activation and motivation to early adolescent depressive symptoms.

Author: Rudolph KD, et al (2018), Developmental Psychobiology

BACKGROUND: This study examines the interactive contribution of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and approach-avoidance motivation systems to longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms across the adolescent transition. In the summer prior to, or fall of, 4th grade, 132 youth (68 girls; 64 boys; M age = 9.46 years) participated in a social challenge task and reported on their depressive symptoms. In the winter of 6th grade, youth completed a semi-structured interview of depression and a self-report measure of approach-avoidance motivations. Analyses revealed two profiles of risk for adolescent depressive symptoms, with some gender differences: (1) excessive disengagement, reflected in HPA underactivation along with low approach motivation or high avoidance motivation; and (2) excessive engagement, reflected in HPA overactivation along with high approach motivation. This research highlights the importance of a multi-system perspective on development, suggesting that the implications of HPA dysregulation for depressive symptoms are contingent on adolescents’ tendencies toward approach versus avoidance.

View Abstract

Keywords: adolescence, salivary cortisol, depression, gender, motivation

*Note: Salimetrics provides this information for research use only (RUO). Information is not provided to promote off-label use of medical devices. Please consult the full-text article.

WordPress Cookie Plugin by Real Cookie Banner
Contact: Salimetrics (USA)
View All International Distributors

Test Your DBS samples with Salimetrics!

Experts in Saliva & Dried Blood Spot Testing for Research

The best science for your study

Learn More

OR CALL 800.790.2258

X
Collaboratory