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Home–school differences in stress hormone levels in a group of Oxford primary schoolchildren

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

B. L. Long ,
G. Ungpakorn  and
G. A. Harrison
B. L. Long
Affiliation:
Institute of Biological Anthropology, University of Oxford
G. Ungpakorn
Affiliation:
Institute of Biological Anthropology, University of Oxford
G. A. Harrison
Affiliation:
Institute of Biological Anthropology, University of Oxford
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Summary

Twenty-three girls and thirteen boys, aged between 4 and 9 years, gave urine samples which were measured by HPLC for adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol and cortisone on a school day and on a home day. Home levels of noradrenaline, cortisol and cortistone were consistently higher than school levels. Cortisol was positively correlated with adrenaline and noradrenaline at home, but not at school. These results may suggest that the school day represents a stimulating but comparatively structured environment with little negative affect, while the home day is characterised by stimulation but relative uncertainty in social interactions.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , January 1993 , pp. 73 - 78
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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