A Preliminary Investigation of Acculturative Stress and Diurnal Cortisol Among Latina Women

Authors

Lucas Torres, Marquette UniversityFollow
Felicia Mata-Greve, Marquette University
April L. Harkins, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

2018

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Source Publication

Journal of Latina/o Psychology

Source ISSN

2163-0070

Abstract

The interplay between biological and cultural factors has remained understudied among ethnic minority groups, including Latinos. To the best of our knowledge, minimal to no research has examined the relationship between acculturative stressors and diurnal cortisol among Latina women. This initial exploratory study sought to examine the relationship between cortisol and acculturative stress. Among a small sample of adult Latina women, salivary cortisol was collected at 3 time points (waking, 30 min postwaking, and bedtime) to assess the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and diurnal cortisol response. Information regarding acculturative stress and acculturation was also collected. The major results showed that high levels of acculturative stress were associated with a blunted CAR and a flatter diurnal cortisol response when compared to low levels of acculturative stress. These preliminary findings highlight the potential role of cultural stressors in contributing to the biological stress response.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, Vol. 6, No. 2 (2018): 149-158. DOI. © 2018 American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Torres, Lucas; Mata-Greve, Felicia; and Harkins, April L., "A Preliminary Investigation of Acculturative Stress and Diurnal Cortisol Among Latina Women" (2018). Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 50.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/clinical_lab_fac/50