Prenatal Antecedents of Infant Surgency, Negative Affectivity, and Regulation

• In Event: Poster Session 04
  In Poster Session: PS 04 Topic - Social, Emotional, Personality

Abstract

Temperament, i.e. an individual’s patterns of reactivity and self-regulation, begins in infancy and possibly even during fetal development. Yet understanding the continuity between fetal indices such as fetal heart rate (FHR) and fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) and infant temperament has been limited by mixed findings from predominantly White and high SES samples. The current study adds to the developmental continuity of fetal-infant temperament by improving methodological shortcomings and expanding assessments to include fetal coupling (the cross correlation of fetal heart rate with movement). Given the mixed findings in the literature, we developed some hypothesized associations between three fetal markers and temperament factors (Surgency, Negative Affectivity, and Regulation/Orienting) based on theory and empirical findings on their underlying constructs and examined the other associations in an exploratory manner (see Figure 1 for hypotheses).

Method

Pregnant women were invited to participate in a longitudinal study. Baseline fetal data (FHR, FHRV, and coupling) were collected in the 3rd trimester and tested for their associations with 4-month old temperament, measured via parent-report with the Infant Behavior Questionnaire—Revised (IBQ-R). IBQ-R factor scores and the subscales that comprise each factor were regressed on the three fetal markers.

Results

Participating women (N = 78) were 59% Latina, 50% married, with 43% of the sample receiving Medicaid. Of the offspring, 47% were biologically male. We report effect sizes using Cohen (1988) conventions.

Hypothesis Testing (Figure 2)
FHRV
We partially supported our hypotheses regarding FHRV (see Figures 1-2). FHRV was moderately, negatively associated with Surgency. The subscale contributing most to this association was Perceptual Sensitivity; FHRV was negatively associated with Perceptual Sensitivity. FHRV was not associated with NA.
In our exploratory analyses, FHRV was moderately, negatively associated with REG. The subscale contributing to this association was Duration of Orienting (DO), FHRV was negatively associated with DO.
FHR
We partially supported our hypotheses regarding FHR (see Figures 1-2). FHR was moderately, positively associated with NA. Subscales contributing to this association were Sadness and Distress to Limitations (DL)— FHR was positively associated with Sadness and DL. FHR was not associated with Surgency or Regulation/Orienting.
Coupling
We confirmed our hypothesis regarding coupling (see Figs 1-2). Coupling was positively associated with REG. The subscales contributing to this association were Low Intensity Pleasure and Duration of Orienting—both positively associated with coupling.
In exploratory analyses, coupling was moderately, positively associated with SUR. Subscales contributing to this association were Activity Level and High Intensity Pleasure (HIP)—coupling was positively associated with Activity Level and HIP. Coupling was not associated with NA.

Discussion

In a socio-demographically diverse sample, we found that FHR, FHRV, and coupling were associated with temperament factors. These findings build on previous work by relying on psychometrically sound measures of fetal functioning and temperament in a diverse sample. Our findings provide further evidence that individual differences in child regulation and affect can be identified in the in-utero period. Important next steps may include targeted interventions for at risk families identified using these prenatal markers.

Authors

• Blaire Caroline Pingeton, Emory University
  Presenting Author

• Sherryl Hope Goodman, Emory University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Catherine Monk, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
  Non-Presenting Author