Poster #20 - How well do behavioral and cardiovascular indicators of distress converge in toddlerhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• In Event: 1-061 - Poster Session 02
  In Poster Session: PS 02 Section - Biological Processes: Psychophysiology

Integrative Statement

Introduction/Aim: The objective of the current study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the available literature that has examined the relation between behavioral and cardiovascular indicators of distress in toddlerhood.

Hypothesis: Based on previous research in children and adults, we hypothesized that a strong association between behavioral and cardiovascular indicators of distress in toddlerhood would be found that would vary according to study characteristics and methodological considerations.

Methods: After ascertaining the eligibility of 2420 articles through a PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) guided search process, 17 articles (N = 2148) were identified that investigated associations between behavioral and cardiovascular indicators of distress in toddlerhood. Studies were organized by whether they could be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively. Quantitative analysis involved meta-analyzing studies to determine an overall relation between behavioral and cardiovascular distress measures. Meta-regression was then used to model moderator effects because effect sizes varied in their study characteristics (i.e., distress paradigm, behavioral coding system, timing of measurement, epoch length, study quality). Qualitative synthesis techniques were used to describe differences in methodology for studies that could not be meta-analyzed.

Results: The overall association between behavioral and physiological distress indicators in toddlerhood was a weak to moderate effect size (r = .3). However, the meta-analysis had significant risk for publication bias. Meta-regressions revealed that methodological differences did not moderate the overall effect size. Qualitative results showed that methodological differences related to behavioral and cardiovascular indicators, timing of measurement, and length of measurement epochs may be responsible for study heterogeneity.

Discussion: This is the first study to review the relation between behavioral and physiological indicators of distress in toddlerhood. The findings suggest a divergence between behavioral and cardiac indicators of distress. With an estimated shared variance of 10%, it is challenging to assume they are measuring a similar construct within distress responding. Future research should follow more rigorous methodological practices, operationalize specific types of behavior, and take into account the relative contributions of parasympathetic and sympathetic cardiac regulation, the impact of phase of distress, and relevant covariates and moderators in order to provide a clearer understanding of cardiac reactivity-negative affect relations.

Authors

• Jordana A. Waxman, York University
  Presenting Author

• Miranda Gabrielle DiLorenzo, York University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Rebecca Pillai Riddell, York University
  Non-Presenting Author

• David B Flora, York University
  Non-Presenting Author