Ann Robinson of the Early Childhood Unit, National Children's Bureau Childcare as a stabilising influence on HPA axis functioning: A re-evaluation of maternal occupational patterns and familial relations In this UK study the influence of factors including childcare on pre-school children's production of cortisol (the 'stress hormone') were investigated in 56 mother-child pairs. Elevated levels of cortisol were detected in children of mothers reporting low levels of job role quality or high...