Citation

Somers JA, Ibrahim MH, Luecken LJ. Child Maltreat. 2017; 22(3): 236-244.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077559517711041

PMID

28571475

Abstract

The theory of biological sensitivity to context may inform our understanding of why some children exposed to family adversity develop mental health problems in emerging adulthood whereas others demonstrate resilience. This study investigated the interactive effects of heart rate (HR) reactivity and childhood family adversity (maltreatment and changes in family structure) on depressive symptoms and positive affect among 150 undergraduate students (18-28 years old; 77% White, non-Hispanic; 61% female). Participants reported on childhood parental divorce or death, and child maltreatment, and current depressive symptoms and positive affect. HR reactivity was assessed in response to a laboratory interpersonal stressor. HR reactivity moderated the effects of child maltreatment on depressive symptoms and positive affect; higher maltreatment was associated with more depressive symptoms and less positive affect, but only among those with average and higher levels of HR reactivity.

RESULTS suggest that higher physiological reactivity may confer greater susceptibility to environmental contexts.

Language: en

Keywords

child maltreatment; depression; physiological processes; resilience