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Table 3 Summary of articles describing sex differences in protocolled social stress test similar or equal to the TSST-C

From: Is HPA axis reactivity in childhood gender-specific? A systematic review

Author (year)

Sample size

Age

Sampling points

Sampling medium

Results

Bae (2015)

169 (81 controls)

10.8 ± 1.8 years

8× (3 before, 5 after)

Saliva

No sex differences; pubertal status not associated with reactivity

Bouma (2009)

644

16.13 ± 0.59 years

5× (2 before, 3 after) (Groningen Social Stress Test)

Saliva

Cortisol responses were stronger in boys

Bouma (2011)

553

16.07 ± 0.90 years

4× (1 before, 3 after) (Groningen Social Stress Test)

Saliva

Boys had higher cortisol levels on sample 2

De Veld (2012)

158

10.61 ± 0.52 years

7× (2 before, 5 after)

Saliva

Cortisol response stronger in girls

Dockray (2009)

111

Boys: 9, 11, or 13 years; girls: 8, 10, or 12 years

5×, 2 before, 3 after

Saliva

No sex differences; age but not pubertal stage associated with reactivity in girls, no associations in boys.

Evans (2013)

707

13.77 ± 3.56 years

After each period/task, at the middle of the documentary, and at the end of it (in figure 2: 6 samples, 2 before, 4 during/after) (social stress tests based on TSST)

Saliva

In children (7–12): lower cortisol reactivity in boys experiencing less emotional warmth

Adolescents (13–20): no sex differences

Gunnar (2009)

82

Four age groups: 9 (9.79 ± 0.16), 11 (11.57 ± 0.15), 13 (13.55 ± 0.46), and 15 (15.55 ± 0.47)

10×, 3 before, 7 after

Saliva

No sex differences, except higher cortisol reactivity in girls at age 13

Hostinar (2014)

191

14.4 ± 1.93 years

6× (2 before, 4 after) (TSST for groups)

Saliva

No sex differences; higher intercepts and greater anticipatory responses with increasing age, pubertal status not assessed

Hostinar (2015)

81 (40 children, 41 adolescents)

Children: 9.97 ± 0.52 years; adolescents: 16.05 ± 0.39 years

4× (1 before, 3 after)

Saliva

Stronger response in 9–10-year old girls, no sex differences among adolescents

Ji (2016)

135

Boys: 9, 11, or 13 years; girls: 8, 10, or 12 years

5× (2 before, 3 after)

Saliva

At wave 3 (each wave separated by 6 months): girls have stronger reaction to stressor; no sex differences in recovery

Jones (2006)

140

7–9 years

7× (3 before, 4 after)

Saliva

Anticipatory rise in both, further increment in girls

Kudielka (2004)

31

12.1 ± 0.3 years

5×, 1 before, 4 after

Saliva

No sex differences; pubertal status not assessed

Lu (2014)

87

12.7 ± 0.3 years

9×, not specified when

Saliva

More negative logAUCi in girls (less increase)

Martikainen (2013)

252

8.1 ± 0.3 years

7× (2 before, 5 after)

Saliva

Higher peak, AUCg, and AUCi in girls

Martin (2011)

40

16–18 years

7× (1 before, 6 after)

Saliva

No sex differences; pubertal status not assessed

Mrug (2016)

84

13.36 ± 0.95 years

3×, 1 before, 2 after

Saliva

Higher post-test cortisol and AUCi in girls

Peckins (2012)

124

10.49 ± 1.68 years; boys: 9, 11, or 13 years; girls: 8, 10, or 12 years

5×, 2 before, 3 after

Saliva

No sex differences; pubertal status not associated with reactivity

Portnoy (2015)

446

11.92 ± 0.59 years

4×, 1 before, 3 after

Saliva

No sex differences in AUCg; pubertal status not associated with reactivity

Raikkonen (2010)

292

8.1 ± 0.3 years

7× (2 before, 5 after)

Saliva

Boys lower than girls

Strahler (2010)

62

6–10 years

4×, 1 before, 3 after

Saliva

No sex differences; pubertal status not assessed

Trickett (2014)

303 maltreated, 151 control

Maltreated: 10.84 ± 1.16 years; comparison: 11.11 ± 1.15 years

6× (2 before, 4 after)

Saliva

Cortisol response blunted in girls compared to boys