Volume : 9, Issue : 4, April - 2020

The Differences on Salivary Cortisol Levels in Pubertal Children before and After Psychological Stress

Adian Manase Kristian Brahmana, Melda Deliana, Selvi Nafianti, Karina Sugih Arto

Abstract :

Background: Cortisol is a stress hormone secreted by Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) which affects psychological health conditions and can be measured through salivary examination. Psychological stress can increase salivary cortisol levels. Objective: To understand the difference of salivary cortisol levels in pubertal children before and after psychological stress. Methods: A quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted at Pencawan junior high school, Medan, North Sumatera, in July – December 2019. Subjects were students aged 12-14 years. Psychological stress intervention was given by conducting mathematics test. Saliva was collected before and after intervention. Results: 16 subjects consist of 8 male students and 8 female students. This study obtained that there was a significant difference in salivary cortisol levels before and after the subject is given a psychological stress (P=0.005, CI 95%). Conclusion: Stress can affect salivary cortisol levels. There was a difference in salivary cortisol levels before and after psychological stress in pubertal children