Serum cortisol levels were measured in 163 women on the third day after childbirth. Significantly elevated levels of cortisol were found to be associated with the “blues,” and significantly lower levels characterized women who exhibited mild hypomania (the “highs”). Low levels of cortisol were independently associated with epidural anesthesia, while elevated levels were related to assisted delivery. There was no significant association with breast or bottle feeding. Changes in serum cortisol were thus found to parallel the mild bidirectional changes in affect that frequently follow childbirth.
Relationships between Features of Emerging Adulthood, Situated Decisions Toward Physical Activity, and Physical Activity Among College Students: The Moderating Role of Exercise-Intensity Tolerance
Chen, J., Wang, Z., Herold, F., Taylor, A., Kuang, J., Wang, T., Kramer, A.F. & Zou, L. Relationships between Features of Emerging Adulthood, Situated Decisions Toward Physical Activity, and Physical Activity Among College Students: The Moderating Role of Exercise-Intensity Tolerance. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion – Accepted published online July 2023 URL