Recognition of adaptive stress response patterns in adolescents based on multiple hair biomarkers

Background The Adaptive Calibration Model (ACM) explains how individuals’ stress response systems (SRS) develop different calibration patterns under environmental stress, subsequently shaping physiological responses and behavioral strategies during growth. However, research on adaptive stress response patterns has yielded inconsistent results across studies, warranting further investigation. Methods This study used hair cortisol, cortisol/DHEA ratio (CD), and cortisol/cortisone ratio (CC) as biomarkers reflecting multidimensional functional indicators of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis adaptation. Latent profile analysis identified heterogeneous stress adaptation patterns in adolescents ( N = 124, age range: 12–18). We compared differences in these patterns across sex and disadvantaged/non-disadvantaged groups, and examined their relationship with depressive symptoms. Results A 4-profile solution was selected based on theoretical interpretability. The buffered profile was most prevalent (35.5%). Children from disadvantaged backgrounds, compared to non- disadvantaged children, were characterized by a significantly higher proportion of the vigilant profile. However, no significant differences in depression scores were found among the different stress adaptation patterns. Conclusion This study provides the first validation of ACM-proposed stress adaptation patterns from multidimensional functional indicators of HPA axis functional perspective. Early disadvantaged environments appear to promote vigilant stress adaptation patterns. These findings provide valuable reference for future mechanism analysis and intervention development for stress-related conditions in adolescents.