Researchers at the University of Bath found raised levels of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva samples taken from 105 reception-age children in Bath and Somerset. The team, led by Dr Julie Turner-Cobb and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, measured cortisol levels up to six months before children started school, aiming to use this measurement as a baseline for comparing results two weeks into the first term and six months later.
Dr Turner-Cobb said, 'The results were surprising, because children usually have much more immediate reactions. It is possible that the effect may be down to parents passing on their concerns over their child starting school. It may be that parents need extra support at this time as well.'
High cortisol levels can suppress immune responses, making a child more susceptible to everyday illnesses. But the study found that children with higher levels of the hormone were less likely to suffer from cold symptoms during the next six months.
More extroverted children also had consistently higher levels of cortisol and many became increasingly socially isolated during the study. Dr Turner-Cobb said this may be because their impulsive nature gets them into more confrontational situations.
The social experience of transition to school learning and health outcomes is available at www.esrc.ac.uk.