Poster #20 - Parenting, Parent Characteristics, Risk and Parent Parasympathetic Regulation in Families Experiencing Homelessness

• In Event: 2-110 - Poster Session 07
  In Poster Session: PS 07 Section - Biological Processes: Psychophysiology

Integrative Statement

Porges (2003) polyvagal theory postulates that the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) functioning plays an important role in emotion regulation and social engagement (Porges, 2003). In particular, PNS regulation may play an important role in the capacity for self-regulation within the context of parent-child interactions (e.g. Denham et al., 2000). For example, Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA)– a common indicator of PNS functioning—decreases during a challenging parent-child interaction task have been related to more adaptive parenting behaviors (e.g. Mills-Koonce et al., 2007) and RSA increases have been related to positive social engagement in positively valenced contexts (e.g. Skowron et al., 2011). Given that strong emotions are often elicited in parenting contexts, the capacity for self-regulation is likely a critical component of parenting behaviors (e.g. Denham et al., 2000). Parents that are less able to modulate emotional arousal may be less capable of engaging in adaptive parenting behaviors. This may be especially important amongst families facing adversity, such as those experiencing homelessness. Evidence suggests that high-quality parenting in the context of adversity can serve as a protective and promotive factor for child adaptation (Labella et al., 2017). Unfortunately, parents experiencing chronic stressful life events are often more prone to difficulties with self-regulation and harsher parenting behaviors (Luecken et al., 2013; 2011, Narayan et al., 2017).
The current study tested associations between parental experiences of sociodemographic risk, and adversity, as well as parental demographic characteristics, parenting quality, and parental RSA. Associations were tested across six different parent-child interaction tasks among 4-6-year-old children and their primary caregivers (N = 41), currently residing in an emergency homeless shelter. Parental cardiac data was measured across tasks, and RSA values were calculated on a second-by-second basis using RSAseconds (Gates et al., 2015). Dyadic tasks included a dyadic talking baseline measure, two problem-solving discussion tasks, and three interactive games (Guessing Game, Labyrinth, and Tangoes). Parenting quality was rated using a coding scheme adapted from the creators of the Family Interaction Tasks (DeGarmo, Patterson, & Forgatch, 2004). Parents reported on their demographics, sociodemographic risk factors (e.g. low levels of education) and adverse life events (e.g. abuse, death of a parent, etc.).
Preliminary analyses utilized multilevel models using maximum likelihood estimation and Akaike Information Criterion corrected values to select models (See Table 1 and Figure 1 for final models). Results suggest variability in RSA reactivity, dependent on task. Generally, talking tasks that were stressful or required increased attention (e.g. Talking Baseline and Problem-Solving Discussions) resulted in parent RSA decreases. Positively valenced interactive games resulted in RSA increases. Further, parenting quality was associated with RSA differently, conditional on task. For example, parenting quality was significantly related to the RSA intercept for the reference group, only during Talking Baseline and guessing game (for more see Table 1 and Figure 1.) Parent age and race were significantly associated with RSA trajectories regardless of task. Findings suggest that task demands of parent-child interactions differentially affect parental RSA trajectories, which may also have implications for adaptive parenting behaviors in families experiencing adversity.

Authors

• Alyssa R Palmer, University of Minnesota
  Presenting Author

• Carrie E DePasquale, Institute of Child Development
  Non-Presenting Author

• Rachel A Foster, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ann S. Masten, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
  Non-Presenting Author

• Dan Berry, University of Minnesota
  Non-Presenting Author