2-153 - A Multi-System Approach to Understanding Stress Physiology and Youth Functioning

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

There is consistent evidence that physiological stress regulation plays an important role in the translation of stressful experiences into negative health consequences. This literature has documented the importance of functioning in both primary branches of the human stress-response systems (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, HPA, axis and autonomic nervous system, ANS), both important subsystems of the ANS (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system; SNS and PNS), and also regions of the brain that are critical for emotional and stress regulation. Theory emphasizes the importance of coordinated functioning across systems (e.g., chronic stress disrupts healthy coordination, which in turn increases risk for health problems). However, most studies have focused on indicators of isolated regulatory systems. The goal of the current symposium is to advance a multi-system approach to understand youth functioning. In study 1, evidence is presented about the co-relations between cortisol (an important outcome of HPA axis activation), deactivation in key inhibitory network brain structures during inhibition, and externalizing behaviors. In study 2, authors examine both HPA and SNS stress responding in youth, and present evidence that low salivary alpha-amylase (an indicator of SNS responding) in particular strengthens the association between community violence exposure and poor emotion regulation. In study 3, the multi-system approach is applied to the understanding of adolescent depression; results indicate that SNS functioning may be particularly important in linking acute stress and major depressive disorder. In the final paper, results indicate that well-coordinated SNS and PNS responding may protect adolescents from experiencing elevated externalizing behaviors in the context of interparental conflict.

Sub Unit

• Biology and Neuroscience

Chair

• Rachel Lucas-Thompson, Colorado State University

Individual Presentations

• Externalizing behaviors and cortisol predict neural activity during a go/no-go inhibition paradigm. - Presenting Author: Sarah A. Stoycos, University of Southern California; Larissa Del Piero, University of Southern California; Gayla Margolin, University of Southern California; Jonas Kaplan, University of Southern California; Darby Saxbe, University of Southern California

• Physiological reactivity moderates the relationship between community violence exposure and emotion regulation in children - Presenting Author: Stephanie M. Emhoff, University at Albany -- SUNY; Elana B. Gordis, University at Albany -- SUNY; Bridget J. Szczypinksi, University at Albany -- SUNY; Samantha A. Barry, University at Albany -- SUNY; Melissa Lehrbach, University of Albany -- SUNY; Ari N. Rabkin, Nationwide Children's Hospital

• Neuroendocrine and cardiovascular response to peer rejection in girls varying in depression risk - Presenting Author: Allison Gaffey, Brown University; Maggie O'Reilly Treter, University of Denver; Rachel Speakman, Brown Medical School; Margaret H. Bublitz, Brown Medical School; Laura R. Stroud, Brown Medical School

• Coordination of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems moderates link between marital conflict and externalizing behavior - Presenting Author: Charlotte McKernan, Colorado State University; Rachel Lucas-Thompson, Colorado State University