Childhood Parental Loss and Adult Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Function
Biological PsychiatryPublished 14 March 2008
Audrey R. Tyrka, Lauren M Wier, Lawrence H. Price, Nicole S. Ross, George Anderson, Charles W. Wilkinson
Citations251
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score4.68
SNIP2.24
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TL;DR
Findings in this study are consistent with the hypothesis that early parental loss induces enduring changes in neuroendocrine function and are moderated by levels of parental care.
Abstract
These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that early parental loss induces enduring changes in neuroendocrine function.
Keywords
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