Sarah Broner

For my senior honors thesis, I’m examining the relationship between social factors and familial risk for depression. Specifically, I’m comparing the relative impact of peer support and loneliness on the neuroendocrine stress response of kids at high vs. low familial risk for depression. It is known that clinical depression is associated with dysregulation in the neuroendocrine stress response system (the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal - Axis); however, in this study, I hope to shed light on potential factors that can buffer against this maladaptive response. My senior honors thesis is supported by Dr. Nestor Lopez-Duran.