The Sex Differences in Cortisol Concentrations, Anxiety, and Depressive Mood In Moroccan Youth

Evidence indicates sex differences in stress response and mental health challenges. Psychobiological research of early symptoms of psychopathology has suggested that cortisol, as a marker of stress, is positively associated with depressive mood and anxiety in adolescents. To date, no study has examined sex differences in the relationships between cortisol levels and negative mood among Moroccan youth.

A total of 332 Moroccan secondary students (171 female) aged 11 to 20 completed a range of psychological measures and provided two morning saliva samples across atwo-hour period. We hypothesized that females would show greater levels of depression and anxiety symptoms than males. We also anticipated positive relationships between cortisol and those symptoms.

The results demonstrated the expected cortisol morning decline due to the diurnal pattern. Higher anxiety (p < .001), higher depressive mood (p < .001), and more clinically relevant depression were found in the females (47.7%) than the males (22.5%; p < .001). In addition, anxiety (p < .05) was positively associated with later morning cortisol in females but not males.

Our results demonstrated sex differences in depressive mood among youth and the feasibility of psychobiological stress research in Morocco. More research is needed to identify sex-specific factors of depression and anxiety. Such effort would inform strategies to tailor treatment programs for females and males.