The purpose of this research program is to examine the relationship between marital interaction patterns and conduct-related behaviors in preschool-aged conduct-problem children. Mediators of the link between marital hostility, antisocial behavior and poor peer relations are also sought, including (1) the role of social cognitive deficits and biases, and (2) psychophysiological processes. Observations of marital and parent-child interaction, peer interaction and children's reactions to interadult hostility and to a provocative peer situation will be conducted. Autonomic measures (cardiac interbeat interval, T-wave amplitude, ear and finger pulse transit time, finger pulse amplitude, skin conductance level, vagal tone & gross motor activity) synchronized to real-time behavioral observations will be obtained from the child during exposure to interadult conflict, peer provocation, and an attention-demanding task. The effects of marital hostility on social information processing, peer relations and antisocial behavior will be examined. Physiological models of conduct-problems will also be tested under conditions of interpersonal threat, relaxed conditions, and in an attention-demanding task. Two theoretical models will be tested in which marital hostility, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system reactivity to interpersonal threat and social cognitive biases and deficits are related to antisocial behavior and negative peer interaction.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01MH049141-01A2
Application #
2248678
Study Section
Child/Adolescent Risk and Prevention Review Committee (CAPR)
Project Start
1994-09-30
Project End
1997-08-31
Budget Start
1994-09-30
Budget End
1995-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Rigterink, Tami; Fainsilber Katz, Lynn; Hessler, Danielle M (2010) Domestic violence and longitudinal associations with children's physiological regulation abilities. J Interpers Violence 25:1669-83
Hessler, Danielle M; Katz, Lynn Fainsilber (2010) Brief report: Associations between emotional competence and adolescent risky behavior. J Adolesc 33:241-6
Katz, Lynn Fainsilber; Hunter, Erin; Klowden, Amanda (2008) Intimate partner violence and children's reaction to peer provocation: the moderating role of emotion coaching. J Fam Psychol 22:614-21
Katz, Lynn Fainsilber (2007) Domestic violence and vagal reactivity to peer provocation. Biol Psychol 74:154-64
Hessler, Danielle M; Fainsilber Katz, Lynn (2007) Children's emotion regulation: Self-report and physiological response to peer provocation. Dev Psychol 43:27-38
Katz, Lynn Fainsilber; Low, Sabina M (2004) Marital violence, co-parenting, and family-level processes in relation to children's adjustment. J Fam Psychol 18:372-82
Mavissakalian, M (1987) Initial depression and response to imipramine in agoraphobia. J Nerv Ment Dis 175:358-61