The Diurnal Cortisol Cycle in Delinquent Male Adolescents and Normal Controls

摘要: Patterns of low hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity have been observed in antisocial groups. As conflicting results reported children and adolescents, the aim this study was to further investigate HPA behavior by studying relationship between diurnal cortisol cycle, as well awakening response (CAR), male adolescents. The cycle CAR during first hour after were compared 12- 14-year-old boys who attended a delinquency diversion program (DP), with without disruptive disorder (DBD) (respectively DP+; n=24 DP-; n=65), matched normal controls (NC; n=32). DP+ group, but not DP- showed significantly slower decrease than NC group. Furthermore, group had lower levels indicate altered delinquent DBD. Etiological mechanisms, directions for future research, clinical implications are discussed.