Stress gets under your skin: A conversation with Emma K. Adam

Abstract

In this month’s interview, Kappan’s editor talks with developmental psychologist and Northwestern University professor Emma K. Adam about her recent research into stress, stress hormones (particularly cortisol), sleep, and learning. High school students’ self-reported stress levels during the day are closely aligned with their measured levels of cortisol, she explains, and cortisol plays important roles in the regulation of sleep, attention, and focus. For example, she has found that the stress associated with high-stakes testing has significant negative effects on students’ scores. And evidence suggests that everyday discrimination causes many students of color, especially Black students, to experience chronic stress, which can take a serious toll on academic performance.