Childhood trauma and basal cortisol in people with personality disorders

Abstract

This study examined the influence of various forms of childhood abuse on basal cortisol levels in a sample of adults with Axis II personality disorders. Participants included 63 adults (n = 19 women) who provided basal plasma cortisol samples and completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Linear regression analyses that included all 5 subscales (ie, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect and emotional neglect) demonstrated that physical abuse was related to lower cortisol levels (β = -.43, P = .007), consistent with prior literature. In contrast, physical neglect was associated with higher cortisol (β = .36, P = .02), after controlling for other forms of abuse. Results are consistent with the view that childhood trauma has long-lasting neurobiological effects and suggest that different forms of trauma may have distinct biological effects.