Honors Theses
Date of Award
2012
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Susan Pedigo
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones, which can act on almost all cells in vertebrate tissue through binding to glucocorticoid receptor. Cortisol, which falls into this class, is released in response to stress and provides our bodies with the necessary energy to cope with a wide variety of stressors. This function of cortisol is brought about through its action on numerous metabolic and immunological pathways. However, when cortisol levels remain elevated for extended periods of time, many of these acute effects of cortisol can bring about long-term health problems, including many associated with metabolic S5mdrome, such as obesity and diabetes. Through the use of animal studies in societies with hierarchical structures, primarily studies focusing on wild baboons, researchers have shown that stress and cortisol levels vary among individuals living in different levels of the social hierarchy, which is a result of the different degrees of psychosocial stressors experienced by individuals of various social ranks. Because most modern societies exhibit some form of a social hierarchy, it becomes important to examine the possibility of applying these animal studies to human models. For this, the attention turns to Mississippi, a state that exhibits many of the adverse health effects commonly associated with elevated cortisol levels more so than any other. In addition to displaying these adverse health effects, Mississippi also possibly experiences many known psychosocial stressors, such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and racial discrimination, to a greater extent than any other state. These same discrepancies in public health and psychosocial stressors can be seen across international lines, such as between the United States and 111 France. The correlation between cortisol levels and the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome could provide a possible link between psychosocial stress in societies with hierarchical structures and the public health discrepancies seen in both Mississippi and the United States. IV
Recommended Citation
Fair, Logan Dwayne, "The Role of Cortisol in Modern Society: Linking Psychosocial Stress and Health" (2012). Honors Theses. 1999.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1999
Accessibility Status
Searchable text