Trait reappraisal is positively associated with more effective habituation of the cortisol stress response

Maladaptive response patterns to acute psychosocial stress have been suggested as key features of allostatic load. Non-habituation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis occurs in about a quarter of healthy individuals, but it is unclear whether habituation can be positively affected by psychological traits. We therefore set out to test for association of HPA axis habituation with emotion regulation (ER) strategies. We investigated if the two ER strategies, reappraisal and suppression, are associated with HPA axis habituation in N=84 healthy young adults (60.7% women; average age = 24.8 years). The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was employed on two consecutive days and salivary cortisol was measured to assess HPA axis habituation. Cortisol showed the expected stress response (time effect: F=91.1, p<0.001), as well as habituation with lower responses on day two (day x time interaction: F=17.78, p<0.001). Trait reappraisal was associated with stronger HPA axis habituation (beta=0.28, p=0.006). Neither trait nor state suppression were significantly associated with HPA axis habituation. These findings give first indications on factors associated with (less) maladaptive stress response patterns. Pending replication and further research, these results may point us towards interventions aimed at strengthening more adaptive stress responses.