Accumulated Cortisol in Fingernail Is Associated with Baseline Mood before and Emotional Response after a Stressor

Accumulated cortisol has been associated with psychosocial stressors. The current study investigates accumulated cortisol in fingernail in adolescents, and its relationship with baseline mood and emotional change after a stressful task. Results suggest elevated cortisol is associated with lower mood at baseline and decreased reduction in mood after a stressor.