Impact of psychophysiological stress-response systems on psychological development: Moving beyond the single biomarker approach

Abstract

This Special Section showcases cutting-edge, theory-driven research, which elucidates how multiple physiologic stress-response systems and neural networks that support social behavior operate together to affect psychological processes across from infancy to adolescence. The 8 papers included in the Special Section represent cutting-edge efforts to understand how multiple physiological systems jointly influence behavior. They raise new questions, highlight issues that remain unresolved, and suggest additional directions for research. It is our hope that they will stimulate theory building and new, integrative studies that will advance knowledge about the coordinated effects of neural, endocrine, and autonomic systems on social, emotional, and cognitive development.