Physiological, Psychological, and Developmental Impacts of Cortisol Production: Sex- and Age-Related Differences in Cortisol Levels and the Diurnal Rhythm of Hormone Secretion

Abstract

Cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including metabolism, immune response, and stress regulation. It exists in bound and free forms in the blood and follows a diurnal rhythm, peaking in the morning. Abnormal cortisol levels can lead to conditions like Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrome, and disturbances in its cycle can disrupt sleep. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates cortisol secretion, which is essential for responding to stress. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can adversely affect mental health, cognitive function, and overall physical health, while synthetic derivatives like corticosteroids are used to treat inflammatory diseases. Analysis examines demographic and physiological characteristics of a dataset comprising 115 individuals, focusing on gender distribution, marital status, age, and cortisol levels throughout the day. Key findings reveal a nearly balanced gender distribution (53% females, 47% males), with a majority (70.4%) being married. Men in the sample are generally older (mean age of 43.07 years) compared to women (mean age of 36.36 years), and married individuals are older (mean age of 44.06 years) than unmarried ones (mean age of 28.68 years). Cortisol analysis shows higher levels in the morning compared to the evening, consistent with established diurnal patterns. Correlations indicate a strong relationship between morning and evening cortisol levels, but weak correlations with age, suggesting age has minimal impact on cortisol levels. ANOVA results confirm significant age differences by marital status but not by gender, while regression analysis highlights the predictability of evening cortisol levels from morning levels. These findings underscore the importance of considering demographic and physiological factors in health research, with implications for understanding stress and tailoring health assessments.