Utilizing Wearable Biosensors to Investigate the Mediating Roles of Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmic and Racial-Ethnic Identity on the Effects of College Readiness

• In Event: Equipping School Counselors for Inclusive Postsecondary Transitions: Navigating Student Shifting Plans, Racial Injustice, and College Readiness Strategies

Abstract

The objective is to explore the interactions between college readiness (CR; Conley, 2007), Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmic (RSA; Porges, 2001), racial-ethnic identity (REI; Rivas-Drake et al., 2014), and psychological well-being (PWB) among Latino adolescents from the rural southeast during conversations with their caregivers. The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of collecting RSA data via wearable biosensors, investigate RSA patterns during conversations, and examine the potential mediating roles of RSA activity and REI on the relationship between CR and PWB.
Theoretical Framework
The research will be guided by polyvagal theory, which provides insights into the autonomic nervous system's role in emotional regulation and stress responses (Porges, 2001). The vagus nerve's central role in controlling physiological reactions to stress, through the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, will be explored. The study will address the gap in understanding how physiological reactions to conversations about postsecondary preparation influence stress-reactive biological systems.
Methods, Techniques, or Modes of Inquiry
Innovative methods will be employed to achieve the study's aims. Wearable biosensors will be used to collect RSA data in the homes of adolescents during conversations with their caregivers. Interviews and surveys will assess REI and PWB, and observations of the conversations will be recorded for further analysis. Statistical analyses and meditational models will be employed to examine the relationships between CR, RSA, REI, and PWB.
Data Sources, Evidence, Objects, or Materials
Data sources for this study will include Latinx adolescents from the rural southeast, their caregivers, and wearable biosensors measuring RSA. The adolescents' responses during conversations, along with their physiological data, will provide evidence for exploring the relationships between CR, RSA, REI, and PWB. Additionally, data from interviews and surveys will provide insight into the adolescents' racial-ethnic identity and psychological well-being.
Results and Substantiated Conclusions
Results will shed light on the feasibility and acceptability of using wearable biosensors to collect RSA data during conversations with Latinx adolescents. It will also offer insights into the stability and changes in RSA patterns during different conversation topics. Moreover, findings will provide evidence of the potential mediating roles of RSA and REI in the relationship between CR and PWB. The conclusions drawn from the data will contribute to the understanding of how physiological responses and racial-ethnic identity influence college readiness and psychological well-being among Latino adolescents in the college preparatory process.
Scientific or Scholarly Significance
This research holds significant implications for counseling and the broader field of student well-being. By incorporating polyvagal theory and utilizing wearable biosensors, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the physiological responses of Latino adolescents during crucial conversations. The findings can inform interventions and support strategies that promote positive CR experiences and psychological well-being among this population. Furthermore, this research contributes to addressing disparities in educational achievement and mental health issues among Latinx adolescents, ensuring their successful transition to higher education.

Author

• Robert Richard Martinez, William & Mary