Pediatric Cancer Survivorship: Impact Upon Hair Cortisol Concentration and Family Functioning

A clearer understanding of the association between a biomarker of long-term stress reactivity and family functioning among pediatric cancer survivors may guide both survivorship research and clinical practice. The current study examined the relationship between a long-term measure of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) activity (cortisol concentration; CORT HAIR ) and parent-reported family functioning (Family Environment Scale; FES) in a cross-sectional sample of survivors ( n = 26) and controls ( n = 53). Child CORT HAIR was not different in survivors and controls, though treatment severity was significantly related to child survivor CORT HAIR . Child CORT HAIR and parent CORT HAIR were positively correlated. Cancer survivor parents reported greater FES Organization. Child CORT HAIR was inversely associated with FES Independence, while parent CORT HAIR was inversely correlated with FES Organization. Parent CORT HAIR and FES Independence were significant and unique predictors of child CORT HAIR . Our results provide preliminary evidence for a relationship between a stress biomarker, child CORT HAIR , and family functioning among pediatric cancer survivors and controls.