Abstract
Whereas much is known about the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during environmental stress and in psychiatric disorders, little is known about the relation of individual differences in basal HPA-functioning to individual differences in healthy psychological functioning. In the present study, we recruited 37 healthy young men and examined the relations of hardiness, self-esteem and hypomanic personality-dispositions that moderate the effects of psychooocial stress on depressive reactions and health-to circulating levels of cortisol and β-endorphin at rest. High self-esteem, hardiness and affective stability were associated with higher plasma cortisol levels and less psychological distress. Additionally, affective stability was associated with higher levels of β-endorphin. The present findings suggest that individual differences in basal HPA-function are associated with individual differences in psychological functioning following stress.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 591-601 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Psychoneuroendocrinology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- Cortisol
- Depression
- Hardiness
- Hypomania
- Self-esteem
- β-endorphin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Endocrinology
- Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry