The Effects of Prenatal Cortisol Concentrations on Working Memory Performance in Preschool Children

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atmire.migration.oldid4891
dc.contributor.advisorTomfohr-Madsen, Lianne
dc.contributor.advisorGiesbrecht, Gerald
dc.contributor.authorCameron, Emily
dc.contributor.committeememberGoghari, Vina
dc.contributor.committeememberCampbell, Tavis
dc.contributor.committeememberMacMaster, Frank
dc.date.accessioned2016-09-12T22:27:35Z
dc.date.available2016-09-12T22:27:35Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.date.submitted2016en
dc.description.abstractWorking memory has been shown to predict future cognitive and academic outcomes, making the successful development of working memory crucial. Extensive animal literature has reported a relationship between elevated maternal cortisol in utero and poorer working memory performance in offspring, while this association has not been replicated in humans. The current study aims to investigate the effect of maternal cortisol exposure on working memory development in preschool aged children. Maternal salivary cortisol was collected over two consecutive days at three prenatal assessments. Child working memory was assessed at age 3-4 years. Results indicated that there was no association between a working memory composite score and maternal cortisol; however, the current study was underpowered. Individual subtest analyses revealed significant three-way interactions for two subtests with infant biological sex and gestational age. Future research should investigate the relationship between prenatal cortisol and working memory under varying conditions of stress in children.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCameron, E. (2016). The Effects of Prenatal Cortisol Concentrations on Working Memory Performance in Preschool Children (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28113en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/28113
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11023/3288
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectPsychology--Clinical
dc.subject.classificationWorking memoryen_US
dc.subject.classificationChild developmenten_US
dc.subject.classificationMaternal cortisolen_US
dc.titleThe Effects of Prenatal Cortisol Concentrations on Working Memory Performance in Preschool Children
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineClinical Psychology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
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