Why the study?
Phasic changes in overall frontal EEG alpha activity and respiratory sinus arrhythmia independently associate with internalizing behaviors in children, but whether their interaction predicts internalizing behaviors was unknown.
Population
152 typically developing children (M age = 7.82 years, 73 girls, 81.6% White)
Comparison
Changes in overall FAA and RSA from baseline to stress induction
Design
Observational physiological study
Key result
Increases in frontal EEG alpha activity during stress were associated with greater internalizing behaviors in children who also exhibited a decrease in respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
Authors
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Phasic FAA/RSA changes may index child emotion dysregulation; leaves open prospective prediction of internalizing behaviors or intervention targets.
Observational (n=152)
Measures indexing central and peripheral nervous system activity (FAA and RSA) may jointly influence stress regulation and contribute to vulnerability to internalizing behaviors in middle childhood.
Yang et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Internalizing behaviors (n=152). Changes in frontal EEG alpha activity (FAA) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was evaluated on Internalizing behaviors. Increases in frontal EEG alpha activity during stress were associated with greater internalizing behaviors in children who also exhibited a decrease in respiratory sinus arrhythmia.