A preliminary investigation of acculturative stress and diurnal cortisol among Latina women.

The interplay between biological and cultural factors has remained understudied among ethnic minority groups, including Latinos. To the best of our knowledge, minimal to no research has examined the relationship between acculturative stressors and diurnal cortisol among Latina women. This initial exploratory study sought to examine the relationship between cortisol and acculturative stress. Among a small sample of adult Latina women, salivary cortisol was collected at 3 time points (waking, 30 min postwaking, and bedtime) to assess the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and diurnal cortisol response. Information regarding acculturative stress and acculturation was also collected. The major results showed that high levels of acculturative stress were associated with a blunted CAR and a flatter diurnal cortisol response when compared to low levels of acculturative stress. These preliminary findings highlight the potential role of cultural stressors in contributing to the biological stress response.