Anxious parents show higher physiological synchrony with their infants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Interpersonal processes influence our physiological states and associated affect. Physiological arousal dysregulation, a core feature of anxiety disorders, has been identified in children of parents with elevated anxiety. However, little is understood about how parent-infant interpersonal regulatory processes differ when the dyad includes a more anxious parent.

Methods

We investigated moment-to-moment fluctuations in arousal within parent-infant dyads using miniaturised microphones and autonomic monitors. We continually recorded arousal and vocalisations in infants and parents in naturalistic home settings across day-long data segments.

Results

Our results indicated that physiological synchrony across the day was stronger in dyads including more rather than

SUBMITTER: Smith CG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9693696 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature