There is a lack of evidence regarding enduring psychoneuroendocrine changes following an initial traumatic event, particular in the presence of an ongoing stressor. The coronavirus pandemic presents an opportunity to explore this matter. Consequently, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of the ongoing pandemic (2021) on individuals, who experienced a first-time motor vehicle crash (MVC) at least 6 years earlier. To this end, we hypothesized that hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) following a first-time traumatic event positively predict symptoms of depression. We investigated = 69 individuals (18 – 65 yrs.), who were victims of a MVC during 2010 – 2014. Hair strands were collected 10 days (t) and 3 months after the MVC (t), as well during the pandemic in 2021 (t). To assess symptoms of depression, the participants filled out the Beck Depression Inventory at t - t and were additionally interviewed (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I) at t and t. Exclusion criteria conveyed a lifetime or acute mental disorder (incl. past trauma exposure). Elevated pre-pandemic HCC following adversity (i.e., MVC) significantly predicted symptoms of depression in adults during the coronavirus pandemic (BDI: =.44, =.010, =.20), even after controlling for confounders. HCC significantly decreased over time, while in average psychological symptoms remained consistent. Cortisol dysregulation in the past presents an enduring vulnerability to ongoing stress. In this regard, vulnerable groups may benefit from preventive measures. This finding validates the predictive power of HCC and extended past evidence in this regard, at the same time reinforcing the concept of the diathesis-stress model.

中文翻译：

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头发皮质醇的纵向评估作为 COVID-19 期间心理症状的预测因子

缺乏关于初始创伤事件后持久的心理神经内分泌变化的证据，特别是在持续的压力源存在的情况下。冠状病毒大流行为探讨这个问题提供了机会。因此，本研究的目的是调查当前的大流行（2021 年）对至少 6 年前经历过首次机动车碰撞 (MVC) 的个人的影响。为此，我们假设首次创伤事件后头发皮质醇浓度（HCC）可以积极预测抑郁症状。我们调查了 69 名个人（18 – 65 岁），他们是 2010 – 2014 年 MVC 的受害者。在 MVC (t) 后 10 天 (t) 和 3 个月 (t) 以及 2021 年大流行期间收集了发丝（t）。为了评估抑郁症状，参与者在 t - t 填写贝克抑郁量表，并在 t 和 t 接受额外访谈（DSM-IV 轴 I 的结构化临床访谈）。排除标准表明患有终生或急性精神障碍（包括过去的创伤经历）。即使在控制混杂因素后，逆境（即 MVC）后的大流行前 HCC 升高也可显着预测冠状病毒大流行期间成人的抑郁症状（BDI：=.44，=.010，=.20）。随着时间的推移，肝癌显着减少，而平均心理症状保持一致。过去，皮质醇失调使人对持续的压力表现出持久的脆弱性。在这方面，弱势群体可能会受益于预防措施。这一发现验证了 HCC 的预测能力，并扩展了这方面的过去证据，同时强化了素质压力模型的概念。