Dyadic Attunement and Physiological Synchrony During Mother-Child Interactions: An Exploratory Study in Children With and Without Externalizing Behavior Problems

117

168

This manuscript provides a critical review of the literature on parent-child physiological synchrony-the matching of biological states between parents and children. All eligible studies found some evidence of physiological synchrony, though the magnitude and direction of synchrony varied according to methodological factors, including the physiological system examined (i.e., parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system activity, adrenocortical functioning) and the statistical approach used (e.g., multilevel modeling, correlation). The review underscores the need to consider the context in which physiological synchrony occurs (e.g., family risk) to best understand its significance. Furthermore, the review delineates vital avenues for future research, including the need to assess synchrony across multiple physiological systems and the importance of documenting continuity/change in physiological synchrony across developmental periods. Such research is crucial for understanding how the parent-child relationship unfolds at a physiological level and, in turn, how this relationship can facilitate or hinder parent, child, and family adjustment.

Section: Biological Systems Used To Measure Parent–child Physiologicamentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biological Systems Used To Measure Parent–child Physiologicamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A systematic review of parent–child synchrony: It is more than skin deep

Davis

West

Bilms

et al. 2018

117

168

“…Typically, this is accomplished by having the dyad identify topics of discussion that are mutually agreed to be either positive or contentious in nature. In one study of children aged from 7 to 12, behavioral synchrony differed significantly between dyads seeking treatment for oppositional defiant disorder and comparison dyads, but physiological synchrony did not differentiate these groups (Woltering, Lishak, Elliott, Ferraro, & Granic, ). However, across all dyads, positive physiological synchrony was associated with greater dyadic repair, evidenced by a return to synchronous attunement during a positive discussion task immediately following a negative discussion task.…”

Section: Physiological Synchronymentioning

confidence: 99%

When you go low, I go high: Negative coordination of physiological synchrony among parents and children

Creavy

Gatzke‐Kopp

Zhang

et al. 2019

The parent–child relationship is an important context for children's emotional development. The current study assessed 43 parent–child dyads while watching a positive film clip and a negative film clip, in order to examine whether partner's physiological reactivity demonstrated dyadic synchrony, and whether this was associated with children's prosocial empathy. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia was measured in both caretakers and children (ages 9–14) and a continuous time series was estimated in order to maximize temporal resolution of physiological dynamics. Dyads varied in both the magnitude and direction of synchrony, with correlation coefficients ranging from moderately negative; r = −.44 (increases in one partner correspond to decreases in the other), to moderately positive; r = .55 (increases in one partner correspond to increases in the other). For both conditions, negative synchrony was correlated with higher child‐reported empathy. For the negative mood condition, this effect was moderated by caretaker's emotional acceptance such that positive synchrony was associated with lower levels of empathy among dyads in which caretaker emotional acceptance was lower. These results suggest that positive physiological synchrony during a negative mood condition may not be adaptive for children when their caretaker lacks the skills to appropriately socialize their child's emotional development.

“…The authors concluded that concordance in autonomic reactivity may underlie maternal empathic responding, which is necessary for a secure attachment relationship. Moreover, the ability to maintain positive behavioral synchrony in the midst of a distressing situation may indicate the presence of a “strong empathic connection” that manifests itself at the physiological level as well (Woltering, Lishak, Elliott, Ferraro, & Granic, ). The studies collectively demonstrate the necessity of considering context when assessing links between physiological synchrony and developmental processes.…”

Section: Family Risk As a Moderatormentioning

confidence: 99%

Family stress moderates relations between physiological and behavioral synchrony and child self‐regulation in mother–preschooler dyads

Suveg

Shaffer

Davis

2015

126

From a bio-behavioral framework, the relations between physiological synchrony, positive behavioral synchrony, and child self-regulation under varying levels of risk were examined among 93 mother-(M age = 30.44 years, SD = 5.98 years) preschooler (M age = 3.47 years, SD = .52 years, 58.70% male) dyads. Physiological synchrony was examined using Interbeat Interval (IBI) data and measures of positive behavioral synchrony and self-regulation were based on observations of a mother-child interaction task. Results supported the phenomenon of physiological synchrony among mother-preschooler dyads during an interaction, but not a baseline, task. Moderation analyses indicated that under conditions of high family risk, positive behavioral synchrony and child self-regulation were greater when physiological synchrony was low. Positive behavioral synchrony was positively associated with child self-regulation, regardless of risk status. The results document physiological synchrony among mothers and their preschool-aged children and the complex ways that physiological attunement relates to important developmental processes.