Abstract
Objective: To examine the concurrent and longitudinal associations between corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and cortisol concentrations and depression and antisocial behavior (conduct disorder symptoms) in pregnant adolescents. Method: Fifty-nine adolescents were evaluated in early pregnancy (9-21 weeks' gestation), late pregnancy (32-34 weeks' gestation), and the postpartum period (4-5 weeks postpartum). Symptoms of depression and conduct disorder were obtained from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. Results: Lower concentrations of CRH were related to a greater number of depression symptoms in early pregnancy (p < .05) and in late pregnancy (p < .05). Lower concentrations of CRH also were related to a greater number of conduct disorder symptoms in early pregnancy (p < .06) and in the postpartum period (p < .05). Conclusion: The findings support the long-standing hypothesis that stress-related products of the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal axis are associated with emotions and behavior during pregnancy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 460-467 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Conduct disorder
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone
- Depression
- Pregnancy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health