The present study examines the longitudinal association between cortisol (dys)regulation – mean cortisol awakening response (CAR) and area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg) for total daily cortisol – and autobiographical memory. 135 participants (mean age at baseline = 16.1; Females = 78.5 %) provided cortisol samples (T1). Seven months later participants retrieved autobiographical memories cued by positive and negative words (T2). Four years subsequently, participants provided cortisol samples again (T3). The retrieval of more specific memories cued by positive words, but not negative words, was associated with higher AUCg four years later, independent of sex, recent life stressors and self-reported negative self-related cognitions. There were no associations between CAR and autobiographical memory. Neither AUC nor CAR at T1 predicted subsequent autobiographical memory abilities. People who retrieve more positive specific memories may be more likely to imagine and seek out positive experiences and this may be associated with higher cortisol levels.

本研究研究了皮质醇（dys）调节–平均皮质醇觉醒反应（CAR）和相对于地面的曲线下面积（AUCg）之间的纵向关联-以及每日总的皮质醇水平。135名参与者（基线时的平均年龄 = 16.1；女性 = 78.5％）提供的皮质醇样品（T1）。七个月后，参与者检索到了由正面和负面单词（T2）暗示的自传式回忆。四年后，参与者再次提供了皮质醇样品（T3）。四年后，由积极词而​​非消极词引起的更具体的记忆的恢复与更高的AUCg相关，而与性别，近期生活压力源和自我报告的消极自我相关的认知无关。CAR和自传体记忆之间没有关联。T1的AUC和CAR均无法预测随后的自传记忆能力。检索到更多积极的特定记忆的人可能更容易想象和寻找积极的经历，而这可能与更高的皮质醇水平有关。