Early childhood regulatory problems (excessive crying, sleeping, and feeding difficulties) are associated with behavioral problems from childhood to young adulthood.
•The current study showed that persistent regulatory problems in early childhood are associated with elevated morning salivary cortisol levels in young adulthood.
•Elevated morning cortisol levels may be one mechanism that explains how early persistent regulatory problems are associated with later emotional and behavioral problems. Read more here
Bilgin, A., Heinonen, K., Girchenko, P., Kajantie, E., Wolke, D., & Räikkönen, K. (2024). Early childhood multiple or persistent regulatory problems and diurnal salivary cortisol in young adulthood. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 161, 106940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106940