Identifying profiles of multisystem physiological activity across early childhood: Examining developmental shifts and associations with stress and internalizing problems. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rudd, Kristen L.; Bush, Nicole R.; Alkon, Abbey; Roubinov, Danielle S.
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 128(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Autonomic nervous system -- Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis -- Multisystem -- Regulation -- Development; Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Abstract: Physiological regulation is an important predictor of health across the lifespan. Regulation occurs across multiple collaborative systems, yet few empirical studies explore multisystem activity and how this collaborative regulation develops early in life. The current study used latent profile analysis to evaluate multisystem regulation in the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis in 150 racially/ethnically diverse, low-income children at 18- and 36-months. At both timepoints, profiles of generally moderate activity ( Moderate Arousal ) and heightened baseline activity ( Anticipatory Arousal ) emerged. A profile of typically adaptive patterns across all systems ( Active Copers ) emerged at 18-months and a profile of heightened HPA Axis activity ( HPA-axis Responders ) emerged at 36-months. Persistent membership in the Anticipatory Arousal profile across time was associated with exposure to greater maternal stress at 18-months and child internalizing problems at 36-months. These findings highlight early multisystem profile development and suggest associations with stress and later behavior problems. Highlights: Early life experience is important for multisystem physiological regulation development. Profiles replicate with theorized patterns and an independent sample of older children. 18- to 36-months is an important window for HPA axis reactivity development. Early maternal stress was related to profile development. Stability in "risky" profiles was associated with internalizing problems.