Philip A. Fisher|Mark J. Van Ryzin|Megan R. Gunnar
Mitigating HPA axis dysregulation associated with placement changes in foster care
University of Oregon|Oregon Social Learning Center|Oregon Social Learning Center|University of Minnesota
maltreated foster children often exhibit alterations diurnal hypothalamicpituitaryadrenal hpa axis activity characterized lower cortisol levels upon waking smaller declines morningtoevening cortisol levels previous research shown dysregulated pattern associated high caregiver stress levels course foster care placements contrast therapeutic interventions emphasize consistent responsive caregiving associated regulated cortisol rhythms paper two related issues explored whether placement changes ie moving foster homes foster home permanent placement associated blunted daily cortisol rhythms whether caregiverbased intervention exerted protective effect context intervention program components specifically designed prepare foster children placement changes maintain consistent parenting techniques despite prevention effect hpa axis dysregulation placement changes hypothesized results linear mixed modeling analyses showed placement changes predicted dysregulation cortisol rhythms regular foster care group intervention foster care group findings discussed terms implications child welfare policy practice