Presenter(s): Fiona Byrne − Family And Human Services
Faculty Mentor(s): Elizabeth Skowron, Shoshana Kerewsky
Oral Session 1S
Research Area: Psychology/Humanities
Exposure to adversity in childhood is shown to be a significant risk factor for negative physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood. What remains to be explored is the impact of adverse childhood experiences on emotional regulation as measured by parasympathetic nervous system activity via respiratory sinus arrhythmia. The present study examines the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey (ACES) scores and resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) within a population of 65 child maltreating (CM) adult female caregivers. ACE scores were collected through a standardized self report survey. RSA was collected through electrocardiogram leads while participants were seated watching a neutral video. No significant correlation was found within the total population. However, results are encouraging for further study with a larger population, which would allow for an examination of potential correlation by socioeconomic status, number of adverse childhood experiences, and education level attained, to learn more about how early adversity can impact health and behavioral outcomes.