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Jones-Mason K, Coccia M, Alkon A, Melanie Thomas KCP, Laraia B, Adler N, Epel ES, Bush NR. Parental sensitivity modifies the associations between maternal prenatal stress exposure, autonomic nervous system functioning and infant temperament in a diverse, low-income sample. Attach Hum Dev 2023; 25:487-523. [PMID: 37749913 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2023.2257669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that adversity experienced during fetal development may shape infant physiologic functioning and temperament. Parental sensitivity is associated with child stress regulation and may act as a buffer against risk for intergenerational health effects of pre- or postnatal adversity. Building upon prior evidence in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of infants (M infant age = 6.5 months) and women of low socioeconomic status, this study examined whether coded parenting sensitivity moderated the association between an objective measure of prenatal stress exposures (Stressful Life Events (SLE)) and infant parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) or sympathetic (pre-ejection period; PEP) nervous system functioning assessed during administration of the Still-Face-Paradigm (SFP) (n = 66), as well as maternal report of temperament (n = 154). Results showed that parental sensitivity moderated the associations between prenatal stress exposures and infant RSA reactivity, RSA recovery, PEP recovery, and temperamental negativity. Findings indicate that greater parental sensitivity is associated with lower infant autonomic nervous system reactivity and greater recovery from challenge. Results support the hypothesis that parental sensitivity buffers infants from the risk of prenatal stress exposure associations with offspring cross-system physiologic reactivity and regulation, potentially shaping trajectories of health and development and promoting resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jones-Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Michael Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Abbey Alkon
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Barbara Laraia
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Nancy Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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2
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Gao MM, Vlisides-Henry RD, Kaliush PR, Thomas L, Butner J, Raby KL, Conradt E, Crowell SE. Dynamics of mother-infant parasympathetic regulation during face-to-face interaction: The role of maternal emotion dysregulation. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14248. [PMID: 36637055 PMCID: PMC10175143 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of parent-infant physiology are essential for understanding how biological substrates of emotion regulation are organized during infancy. Although parent-infant physiological processes are dyadic in nature, research is limited in understanding how one person's physiological responses predict one's own and as well as the other person's responses in the subsequent moment. In this study, we examined mother-infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) dynamics during the Still-Face Paradigm (SFP) among 106 mothers (Mage = 29.54) and their 7-month-old infants (55 males). Given mothers' role in shaping dyadic interactions with their infant, we also tested how mothers' self-reported emotion dysregulation (measured via the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale) associated with these dynamics. Results showed that both mothers' and infants' RSA tended to return to their respective homeostatic points (i.e., exhibited return strength) during each SFP episode, indicating stability in RSA for mother-infant dyads. Significant shifts in mother and infant RSA return strength were observed across SFP episodes, highlighting the role of contextual demands on each individual's physiological dynamics. Mother-infant RSA dynamics varied as a function of maternal self-reported emotion dysregulation. Specifically, RSA levels of infants with more dysregulated mothers had a weaker tendency to return to homeostasis during the Reunion episode and were less affected by their mothers' RSA during the Still-Face and Reunion episodes of the SFP, suggesting a less effective coregulatory influence. Our findings have implications for the intergenerational transmission of emotion dysregulation via mother-infant physiological dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Miranda Gao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Parisa R Kaliush
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Leah Thomas
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Jonathan Butner
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - K Lee Raby
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Elisabeth Conradt
- Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sheila E Crowell
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of OB/GYN, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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3
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Zeytinoglu S, Calkins SD, Leerkes EM. Autonomic profiles and self-regulation outcomes in early childhood. Dev Sci 2022; 25:e13215. [PMID: 34962027 PMCID: PMC9237181 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study examined autonomic profiles in preschoolers (N = 278, age = 4.7 years) and their relations to self-regulation outcomes concurrently and one year later, in kindergarten. Children's sympathetic (preejection period [PEP]) and parasympathetic activity (respiratory sinus arrythmia [RSA]) were measured at rest and during cognitive and emotional tasks. Three self-regulatory competencies were assessed: executive functions, emotion regulation and behavioral regulation. Executive functioning was measured at ages 4 and 5 using laboratory tasks designed to assess updating/working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Emotion regulation was observed during emotionally distressing tasks in the laboratory, both at ages 4 and 5. Behavioral regulation and emotional reactivity were assessed via teacher ratings in kindergarten, at age 5. Latent profile analysis yielded four autonomic profiles: moderate parasympathetic inhibition (45%), reciprocal sympathetic activation (26%), coinhibition (25%), and high sympathetic activation (7%). The reciprocal sympathetic activation group showed better executive functioning in preschool and kindergarten, particularly compared to the high sympathetic activation group. The moderate parasympathetic inhibition group showed lower emotional reactivity and better behavioral regulation in kindergarten, compared to the other three groups. Findings suggest that autonomic profiles meaningfully associate with self-regulation outcomes in early childhood, such that certain profiles relate to better self-regulation than others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Zeytinoglu
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, USA
| | - Susan D Calkins
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA
| | - Esther M Leerkes
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA
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4
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Köhler-Dauner F, Roder E, Gulde M, Mayer I, Fegert JM, Ziegenhain U, Waller C. Maternal Sensitivity Modulates Child's Parasympathetic Mode and Buffers Sympathetic Activity in a Free Play Situation. Front Psychol 2022; 13:868848. [PMID: 35529563 PMCID: PMC9068013 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.868848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Behavioral and physiological (self-)regulation in early life is crucial for the understanding of childhood development and adjustment. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a main player in the regulative system and should therefore be modulated by the quality of interactive behavior of the caregiver. We experimentally investigated the ANS response of 18–36-month-old children in response to the quality of maternal behavior during a mother–child-interacting paradigm. Method Eighty mothers and their children came to our laboratory and took part in an experimental paradigm, consisting of three episodes: a resting phase (E1), a structured play phase (E2), and a free play situation (E3) between mothers and their child. Children’s and mother’s heart rate (HR), the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity via the pre-ejection period (PEP) and the left ventricular ejection time (LVET), and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity via the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were continuously measured by an electrocardiogram. Maternal sensitivity of interactive behavior was assessed by using the Emotional Availability (EA) Scales. Results Children of mothers with insensitive behavior had a significantly lower RSA at baseline, showed a lack of RSA withdrawal during structured and free play, and had shorter LVET across all episodes compared to children of sensitive mothers. Conclusion Our findings depict the influence of low-quality maternal interaction on the child’s ANS regulation, in calm and more stressful play situations. The overall higher SNS mode with impaired PNS reactivity may negatively influence child’s ANS homoeostasis, which may result in a long-term impact on mental and physical wellbeing. Further, the maternal sensitivity may function as a buffer for the stress response of their child. These results could serve as a basis for the development of appropriate psychoeducational programs for mothers of low sensitivity in their interaction with the child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Köhler-Dauner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Eva Roder
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Manuela Gulde
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Inka Mayer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jörg M Fegert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegenhain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christiane Waller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Nuremberg General Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
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5
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Rudd KL, Alkon A, Abrams B, Bush NR. Infant weight-for-length gain associated with autonomic nervous system reactivity. Pediatr Res 2021; 90:472-478. [PMID: 33203965 PMCID: PMC8126564 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01246-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that children's health and well-being are supported by core adaptive systems, including the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Despite evidence for the importance of adulthood ANS regulation in the development of disease, few studies have examined how early development may influence emerging ANS function. Therefore, we examined how infant adiposity gain during early infancy related to ANS regulation at 6 months. METHODS Infant weight and length were abstracted from birth records and measured during the 6-month assessment in a low-income, racially/ethnically diverse sample (N = 60). WHO-standardized weight-for-length-gain change was calculated across the first 6 months of life. ANS reactivity was measured as the combined sympathetic (i.e., pre-ejection period) and parasympathetic (i.e., respiratory sinus arrhythmia) nervous system responses during the developmentally challenging Still Face Paradigm (SFP). ANS "classic reactivity" response was characterized by paired sympathetic activation and parasympathetic withdrawal. RESULTS Lower weight-for-length gain in the first 6 months predicted classic reactivity during still face. However, greater weight-for-length gain predicted "classic reactivity" during the reunion, when infants were expected to recover, suggesting autonomic dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an association between early life adiposity gain and the development of infant ANS regulation. IMPACT Adiposity gain during early infancy was associated with autonomic nervous system regulation at 6 months. This study identifies early adiposity gain (greater than average infant weight-for-length gain) as a risk for ANS dysregulation. This research focuses on a critical developmental period of ANS plasticity. If confirmed, findings can be used to inform early intervention programs targeting obesity prevention and to promote self-regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Rudd
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Abbey Alkon
- Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Barbara Abrams
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Rudd KL, Bush NR, Alkon A, Roubinov DS. Identifying profiles of multisystem physiological activity across early childhood: Examining developmental shifts and associations with stress and internalizing problems. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 128:105196. [PMID: 33765640 PMCID: PMC8188642 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Physiological regulation is an important predictor of health across the lifespan. Regulation occurs across multiple collaborative systems, yet few empirical studies explore multisystem activity and how this collaborative regulation develops early in life. The current study used latent profile analysis to evaluate multisystem regulation in the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis in 150 racially/ethnically diverse, low-income children at 18- and 36-months. At both timepoints, profiles of generally moderate activity (Moderate Arousal) and heightened baseline activity (Anticipatory Arousal) emerged. A profile of typically adaptive patterns across all systems (Active Copers) emerged at 18-months and a profile of heightened HPA Axis activity (HPA-axis Responders) emerged at 36-months. Persistent membership in the Anticipatory Arousal profile across time was associated with exposure to greater maternal stress at 18-months and child internalizing problems at 36-months. These findings highlight early multisystem profile development and suggest associations with stress and later behavior problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L. Rudd
- University of California, San Francisco; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; San Francisco, CA
| | - Nicole R. Bush
- University of California, San Francisco; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; San Francisco, CA,University of California, San Francisco; Department of Pediatrics; San Francisco, CA,University of California, San Francisco; Weill Institute for Neurosciences; San Francisco, CA
| | - Abbey Alkon
- University of California, San Francisco; School of Nursing; San Francisco, CA
| | - Danielle S. Roubinov
- University of California, San Francisco; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; San Francisco, CA,University of California, San Francisco; Weill Institute for Neurosciences; San Francisco, CA
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7
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Stephens M, Bush N, Weiss S, Alkon A. Distribution, Stability, and Continuity of Autonomic Nervous System Responsivity at 18- and 36-Months of Age. Biol Res Nurs 2020; 23:208-217. [PMID: 32715727 DOI: 10.1177/1099800420943957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) measures, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and preejection period (PEP), are valid and reliable indicators of children's sensitivity to their environment; however, there are few studies of ANS measures in children less than three years of age. This study's aim was to summarize the distributions, stability, and continuity of RSA and PEP measures during resting, challenge, and reactivity for children at 18- and 36-months. METHODS This was a cohort study of racially- and ethnically-diverse, low-income children who completed a developmentally challenging protocol while we simultaneously assessed their RSA and PEP at 18-months (N = 134) and 36-months (N = 102). RESULTS The ANS resting, challenge, and reactivity measures at 18- and 36-months of age were normally distributed. The RSA resting (r = 0.29), RSA challenge (r = 0.44), PEP resting (r = 0.55) and PEP challenge (r = 0.58) measures were moderately stable but RSA (r = 0.01) and PEP reactivity (r = 0.02) were not stable from 18- to 36-months of age. There was no continuity in the ANS measures from 18- to 36-months of age with statistically significant changes in sample means for all of the ANS measures. DISCUSSION These developmental changes in ANS are shown at the sample level but there are individual differences in ANS responses from 18- to 36-months that may be affected by adversity or protective factors experienced early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Stephens
- Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, 8785University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), CA, USA
| | - Nicole Bush
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, 8785University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), CA, USA
| | - Sandra Weiss
- Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, 8785University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), CA, USA
| | - Abbey Alkon
- Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, 8785University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), CA, USA
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Sexual Dimorphism of Heart Rate Variability in Adolescence: A Case-Control Study on Depression, Anxiety, Stress Levels, Body Composition, and Heart Rate Variability in Adolescents with Impaired Fasting Glucose. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17082688. [PMID: 32295195 PMCID: PMC7216092 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Prediabetes in the form of impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or both is considered as a preliminary stage for the onset of diabetes and diabetic complications. Hormonal fluctuations in adolescence are accompanied by body composition modifications, which are associated with insulin resistance and subclinical inflammation. Bioimpedance (BIA) accurately evaluates body composition, and heart rate variability (HRV) assesses cardiac autonomic function, which are frequently afflicted by insulin resistance. We aimed at evaluating the effect of glycemic status on mental stress, anxiety, and depression status in adolescents with impaired fasting glucose, body composition, and HRV parameters. This is a case-control study to evaluate the effect of the hyperglycemia on depression, anxiety, and stress levels (DASS21 questionnaire), body composition (BIA-ACC—BIOTEKNA©), and HRV (PPG Stress Flow—BIOTEKNA©), between euglycemic adolescents (euglycemic group) and adolescents with impaired fasting glucose (prediabetic group), aged 12–20 years. No differences were found between the prediabetic (n = 13) and the euglycemic (n = 16) groups in the outcome measures, possibly due to the number of participants. Interestingly, females, irrespective of their glycemic status, exhibited altered sympathovagal function as revealed by impaired HRV. In the euglycemic group, HRV parameters were significantly correlated and in line with the DASS21 scores, but in the prediabetic group, similarities to those of adults were observed. Impaired fasting glucose had no impact on mental health, body composition, or HRV parameters in adolescents. HRV parameters were impaired in females, irrespective of their glycemic status. This finding implies that females seem to be more prone to stress disorders, even from a young age. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Christensen JS, Wild H, Kenzie ES, Wakeland W, Budding D, Lillas C. Diverse Autonomic Nervous System Stress Response Patterns in Childhood Sensory Modulation. Front Integr Neurosci 2020; 14:6. [PMID: 32132906 PMCID: PMC7040227 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2020.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The specific role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in emotional and behavioral regulation—particularly in relation to automatic processes—has gained increased attention in the sensory modulation literature. This mini-review article summarizes current knowledge about the role of the ANS in sensory modulation, with a focus on the integrated functions of the ANS and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and their measurement. Research from the past decade illustrates that sympathetic and parasympathetic interactions are more complex than previously assumed. Patterns of ANS activation vary across individuals, with distinct physiological response profiles influencing the reactivity underlying automatic behavioral responses. This review article advances a deeper understanding of stress and the complex stress patterns within the ANS and HPA axis that contribute to allostatic load (AL). We argue that using multiple physiological measurements to capture individual ANS response variation is critical for effectively treating children with sensory modulation disorder (SMD) and sensory differences. We consider the relative contributions of automatic vs. deliberately controlled processes across large-scale neural networks in the development of sensorimotor function and their associated links with arousal patterns and sensory over- and under-responsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heather Wild
- Psychology Program, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Erin S Kenzie
- Systems Science Program, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Wayne Wakeland
- Systems Science Program, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | | | - Connie Lillas
- NeuroRelational Framework (NRF) Institute, Pasadena, CA, United States
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10
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Roder E, Koehler-Dauner F, Krause S, Prinz J, Rottler E, Alkon A, Kolassa IT, Gündel H, Fegert JM, Ziegenhain U, Waller C. Maternal separation and contact to a stranger more than reunion affect the autonomic nervous system in the mother-child dyad. Int J Psychophysiol 2020; 147:26-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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11
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Köhler-Dauner F, Roder E, Krause S, Buchheim A, Gündel H, Fegert JM, Ziegenhain U, Waller C. Reduced caregiving quality measured during the strange situation procedure increases child's autonomic nervous system stress response. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2019; 13:41. [PMID: 31695745 PMCID: PMC6824052 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-019-0302-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysfunctional maternal behavior has been shown to lead to disturbances in infant's regulatory capacities and alterations in vagal reactivity. We aim to investigate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) response of the child during the strange situation procedure (SSP) in relation to the quality of maternal behavior. METHODS Twelve month after birth, 163 mother-child-dyads were investigated during the SSP. Heart rate (HR) and both, the parasympathetic branch (PNS) via the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and the sympathetic branch (SNS) via the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) of the ANS were continuously determined during the SSP using electrocardiogram (ECG) and impedance cardiogram (ICG) measures. Maternal behavior was assessed by using the AMBIANCE measure. RESULTS The ANS response in infants of mothers with disruptive behavior compared to infants of non-disruptive mothers was significantly altered during the SSP: HR increased especially when infants of disruptive mothers were alone with the stranger (F (1, 161) = 4.15, p = .04) with a significant vagal withdrawal when being in contact with the stranger despite of presence of the mother (F (1, 161) = 5.11, p = .03) and a significant increase in vagal tone during final reunion (F (1, 161) = 3.76, p = .05). HR increase was mainly based on a decrease in LVET (F (1, 161) = 4.08, p = .05) with a maximum infant's HR when the stranger came into the room instead of the mother. CONCLUSION Both, SNS and PNS branches of the child are significantly altered in terms of an ANS imbalance, especially during contract to a stranger, in relation to dysfunctional maternal behavior. Our findings suggest the importance of supporting high quality caregiving that enables the infant to adapt adequately to stressful interpersonal situations which is likely to promote later health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Köhler-Dauner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm Medical University of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Eva Roder
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sabrina Krause
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anna Buchheim
- Institute of Psychology, University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Harald Gündel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jörg M. Fegert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm Medical University of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegenhain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm Medical University of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Christiane Waller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg General Hospital, Nuremberg, Germany
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12
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Zeytinoglu S, Calkins SD, Leerkes EM. Autonomic nervous system functioning in early childhood: Responses to cognitive and negatively valenced emotional challenges. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 62:657-673. [PMID: 31578722 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning is "context-dependent," few studies examined children's normative sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic responses to distinct challenges in early childhood years. Examining children's ANS responsivity to distinct challenges is important for understanding normative autonomic responses toward everyday life stressors and identifying paradigms that effectively elicit a "stress response." We examined children's (N = 278) sympathetic (preejection period [PEP]) and parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) responses to cognitive (i.e., problem-solving and cognitive control) and negatively valenced emotional (i.e., blocked goal and unfairness) challenges in preschool, kindergarten, and grade 1. Children, on average, demonstrated parasympathetic inhibition (RSA withdrawal) in response to all challenges but the magnitude of these responses depended on the task. Children showed sympathetic activation (PEP shortening) toward the problem-solving task at each assessment and there was no sample-level change in the magnitude of this response over time. Children showed greater sympathetic responsivity toward the cognitive control task over time, with evidence for a sympathetic activation response only in grade 1. Children experienced sympathetic inhibition (PEP lengthening) toward the unfairness tasks but did not experience significant sympathetic responsivity toward the blocked goal tasks. Parasympathetic responsivity to most challenges were modestly stable but there was no stability in sympathetic responsivity across time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Zeytinoglu
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Susan D Calkins
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Esther M Leerkes
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
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13
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Bush NR, Jones-Mason K, Coccia M, Caron Z, Alkon A, Thomas M, Coleman-Phox K, Wadhwa PD, Laraia BA, Adler NE, Epel ES. Effects of pre- and postnatal maternal stress on infant temperament and autonomic nervous system reactivity and regulation in a diverse, low-income population. Dev Psychopathol 2017; 29:1553-1571. [PMID: 29162167 PMCID: PMC5726291 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417001237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We examined the prospective associations of objective and subjective measures of stress during pregnancy with infant stress reactivity and regulation, an early-life predictor of psychopathology. In a racially and ethnically diverse low-income sample of 151 mother-infant dyads, maternal reports of stressful life events (SLE) and perceived stress (PS) were collected serially over gestation and the early postpartum period. Infant reactivity and regulation at 6 months of age was assessed via maternal report of temperament (negativity, surgency, and regulation) and infant parasympathetic nervous system physiology (respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) during the Still Face Paradigm. Regression models predicting infant temperament showed higher maternal prenatal PS predicted lower surgency and self-regulation but not negativity. Regression models predicting infant physiology showed higher numbers of SLE during gestation predicted greater RSA reactivity and weaker recovery. Tests of interactions revealed SLE predicted RSA reactivity only at moderate to high levels of PS. Thus, findings suggest objective and subjective measures of maternal prenatal stress uniquely predict infant behavior and physiology, adjusting for key pre- and postnatal covariates, and advance the limited evidence for such prenatal programming within high-risk populations. Assessing multiple levels of maternal stress and offspring stress reactivity and regulation provides a richer picture of intergenerational transmission of adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Karen Jones-Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Michael Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Zoe Caron
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Abbey Alkon
- Department of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Melanie Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Kim Coleman-Phox
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Pathik D. Wadhwa
- School of Medicine, Development, Health and Disease Research Program, University of California, Irvine
| | | | - Nancy E. Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Elissa S. Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
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