2-020 - Dynamics of Physiological Processes in Interpersonal Contexts: Correlates and Outcomes

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Physiological regulation is both a dynamic process that shifts from moment to moment and a dyadic process that is influenced by one’s interaction partner in real time (Morris et al., 2018). Yet, studies have predominantly taken a static approach by averaging physiological indices across tasks. The papers in the proposed symposium use novel methodologies such as time-series analysis, network-based analysis, and latent-basis growth mixture modeling to assess moment-to-moment dynamics of physiological processes in developmentally salient interpersonal contexts (e.g., problem-solving task, conflict discussion), as well as correlates and outcomes of these dynamics. These papers consider multiple physiological systems and assess physiological processes in both parent and child.

Paper 1 assesses second-by-second parasympathetic coordination in mother-child dyads experiencing homelessness and illustrates both continuities and discontinuities across different types of dyadic interactions (e.g., emotionally neutral vs salient). Paper 2 suggests that maternal parasympathetic physiology interacts with children’s positive versus negative behavior in divergent ways to predict within-mother increases in support and assistance in real time. Paper 3 demonstrates heterogeneity in second-by-second coordination patterns of adolescents’ physiological reactivity during a social stress task and their relations to adolescent trait anxiety. Paper 4 shows that adolescents with hypoaroused trajectories of sympathovagal functioning over the course of a conflict discussion were more likely to display lower social skills and empathy longitudinally and have parents who exhibit lower sensitivity. Together, these papers demonstrate that considering within-person dynamics of physiological processes can provide unique insights into our understanding of social interactions and individual differences in children’s adjustment.

Sub Unit

• Biological Processes: Psychophysiology

Chairs

• Niyantri Ravindran, The Pennsylvania State University

• Dan Berry, University of Minnesota

Individual Presentations

• Dyadic Synchrony Among Preschool Aged Children and Their Parents Currently Experiencing Homelessness - Presenting Author: Alyssa R Palmer, University of Minnesota; Non-Presenting Author: Isabella Stallworthy, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota; Non-Presenting Author: Ann S. Masten, University of Minnesota Twin Cities; Non-Presenting Author: Dan Berry, University of Minnesota

• Parenting under Challenge:Interactive Contributions of Dynamic Fluctuations in Children’s Behavior and Maternal Cardiac Physiology - Presenting Author: Niyantri Ravindran, The Pennsylvania State University; Non-Presenting Author: Nancy McElwain, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Non-Presenting Author: Laurie Kramer, Northeastern University

• Adolescents’ Emotion System Dynamics:Network-based Analysis of Physiological and Emotional Experience - Presenting Author: Xiao Yang, Penn State University; Non-Presenting Author: Nilam Ram, Penn State University; Non-Presenting Author: Jessica P. Lougheed, Purdue University; Non-Presenting Author: Peter Molenaar, The Pennsylvania State University; Non-Presenting Author: Tom Hollenstein, Queen’s University

• Family Predictors and Socioemotional Outcomes Associated with Dynamics of Adolescent Sympathovagal Reactivity to Discipline - Presenting Author: Zhi Li, University of Rochester; Non-Presenting Author: Melissa Sturge-Apple, University of Rochester; Non-Presenting Author: Meredith Martin, University of Nebraska Lincoln; Non-Presenting Author: Patrick Davies, University of Rochester