Journal Article

Intervening to enhance cortisol regulation among children at risk for neglect: Results of a randomized clinical trial

Dozier, Mary, Bernard, Kristin, Gordon, M. Kathleen, Bick, Johanna

2015

Overview

The hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis is particularly sensitive to conditions of maltreatment. In particular, neglected children have shown a flatter slope with lower wake-up values relative to nonneglected children. An intervention, the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC), was developed to enhance biological and behavioral regulation in young children at risk for neglect. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed in a randomized clinical trial for children with involvement with Child Protective Services. Following the intervention, children receiving the ABC intervention (n = 49) showed more typical cortisol production, with higher wake-up cortisol values and a steeper diurnal slope, than children receiving the control intervention (n = 51). These results suggest that the ABC intervention is effective in enhancing biological regulation.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Subject: Abused children / Adolescent / Adult / At risk populations / At risk youth / Child Abuse / Child abuse & neglect / Child Protective Services / Child welfare / Child, Preschool / Children / Children & youth / Clinical research / Clinical trials / Cortisol / Female / Follow-Up Studies / Humans / Hydrocortisone - metabolism / Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - metabolism / Infant / Intervention / Male / Middle Aged / Parenting - psychology / Pituitary gland / Pituitary-Adrenal System - metabolism / Psychotherapy - methods / Regular Articles / Regulation / Treatment Outcome / Young Adult