Poster #27 - The Interactive Role of Physiological Reactivity and Victimization Responses on Internalizing in Early Childhood

• In Event: Poster Session 01

Abstract

Although peer victimization exhibits bidirectional associations with internalizing symptoms (Brunstein et al., 2019), few studies examine the role of responses to victimization and the development of internalizing symptoms. Reactions to victimization can be broadly categorized as approach (i.e., seeking assistance and objection) and avoidance (i.e., disengagement and venting emotion); further, these responses are associated with adjustment outcomes in complex ways (Visconti & Troop-Gordon, 2010). One factor that may affect the implications of victimization reactions is physiological reactivity. In fact, individuals who exhibit internalizing symptoms often display a unique pattern of physiological reactivity, although the nature of this pattern remains unclear (Blysma et al., 2014; Graziano & Derefinko, 2013; Song et al., 2021). The current study examined associations between peer victimization responses and internalizing symptoms during early childhood, as well as the moderating role of physiological reactivity. We hypothesized that adaptive coordination between behavioral and physiological processes would buffer against the risk for internalizing problems. Specifically, we expected that internalizing would be lowest among children with physiological responses that facilitate calming (i.e., RSA activation; low SCL-R) combined with behavioral avoidance, or physiological responses that facilitate the mobilization of resources (i.e., RSA inhibition; high SCL-R) combined with behavioral approach.
Participants (N = 83, 47.0% female, M age = 45.59 mo, SD = 3.80) include a subsample drawn from a longitudinal study of a largely middle to upper-middle class children with varied racial/ethnic backgrounds (3.7% African American, 11.1% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.2% Latino/a, 16.0% multiracial, and 67.9% White). Measures were obtained at two time points (pre-kindergarten spring, T1; kindergarten spring, T2) approximately one year apart. Responses to victimization were measured using direct naturalistic observations by trained research assistants (Ostrov & Keating, 2004; ICC's > .70) at T1. Teacher-reported depressed affect (PSBS-TF, Crick et al., 1997; a T1/T2=.54/.72) and fear (CBQ, Putnam & Rothbart, 2006; a T1/T2= .68/.85) were combined to form a composite internalizing variable at each time point (a T1/T2= .87/.98). Physiological reactivity was assessed via skin conductance and respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity to viewing a relational conflict video (a character is excluded), relative to baseline arousal (watching a neutral video clip) using equipment developed by Biolog (UFI 3991).
Bivariate correlations and descriptive statistics are presented in Table 1. Nested path analyses were conducted in Mplus separately for approach and avoidance responses where main effects of RSA-R, SCL-R, and response type in the prediction of T2 internalizing were first examined followed by two-way interaction terms, and finally the three-way interaction term. Room temperature and internalizing at T1 were controlled. T1 Approach responses directly predicted decreases in internalizing symptoms at T2 (β = -.26, p = .03). T1 Avoidance responses predicted decreases in internalizing at T2 in participants exhibiting low (i.e., -2SDs from the mean) SCL-R (B = -.32 p = .04; Figure 1). No significant 3-way interactions emerged.
Findings provide partial support for the hypothesized adaptive coordination between individuals’ physiological reactivity and their responses to peer victimization in early childhood.

Authors

• Katy M. Gardner, State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)
  Presenting Author

• Gretchen R. Perhamus, State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)

• Jamie M. Ostrov, State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)

• Dianna Murray-Close, University of Vermont