Behavioral Correlates of Excreted Catecholamines and Cortisol in Second‐Grade Children

Second-grade children were observed in classrooms on normal school days and on test days from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Levels of excreted cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were determined for the same time periods. Comparison of excreted hormones on normal days and test days indicated that on test days the group mean cortisol excretion rate was elevated over normal days while epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were depressed. Individual differences in excreted hormones were more significantly related to personality variables observed in the classroom then to the effects of academic stress. Cortisol and epinephrine levels correlated positively with social affiliative behavior. Epinephrine and “fidgeting” were inversely related. Norepinephrine levels correlated positively with aggressiveness and negatively with inattentiveness. Teachers' ratings tended to confirm the investigators' observations of children's behavioral traits. Multiple regression analysis of psychological assessments and catecholamine determinations are presented.