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The Cumulative Effects of Chronic and Acute Stress on HPA Activity and Depression in Children Who Witness Violence

Pinna, Keri Lynn Marie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1310605817

Abstract Details

2011, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
The present research sought to test a model in which dynamic measures of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity mediate the relationship between cumulative stress and depression in a sample of children who witness violence. The impact of HPA activity on depression through autobiographical memory and coping were also examined. Depressive symptoms and diagnoses were assessed in 82 eight- to 17-year old children exposed to violence. Salivary measures of cortisol and DHEA and self-report measures of coping were collected. The autobiographical memory test was also administered. Analyses failed to support a mediational effect of HPA activity between stress and depression. However, a significant interaction was identified between chronic and acute stress in predicting some measures of HPA activity. Further, age interacted with stress to predict HPA activity and autobiographical memory. Results suggest that any mediating role of HPA activity between stress and depression is likely complicated by the interaction of chronic and acute stress, as well as the moderating effect of age. Results of this research contribute to existing literature seeking to understand mechanisms through which stress may contribute to depression, and extend knowledge to children who witness violence.
Douglas Delahanty, PhD (Committee Chair)
Jeffrey Ciesla, PhD (Committee Member)
David Fresco, PhD (Committee Member)
Daniel Flannery, PhD (Committee Member)
Timothy Gallagher, PhD (Other)
190 p.
Psychology
Cortisol; HPA; Depression; Children Who Witness Violence; Stress; Cumulative

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pinna, K. L. M. (2011). The Cumulative Effects of Chronic and Acute Stress on HPA Activity and Depression in Children Who Witness Violence [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1310605817

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pinna, Keri. The Cumulative Effects of Chronic and Acute Stress on HPA Activity and Depression in Children Who Witness Violence. 2011. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1310605817.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pinna, Keri. "The Cumulative Effects of Chronic and Acute Stress on HPA Activity and Depression in Children Who Witness Violence." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1310605817

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1310605817
567
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.