Citation

Silva NT, Schestatsky P, Winckler PB, Salum GA, Petroceli AW, Heldt EP. Biol. Psychol. 2014; 103: 242-247.

Affiliation

Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences: Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 2400 Ramiro Barcelo st, Zip Code: 90035-003. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Research Group on Child and Adolescence Behavior (GECIA), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, 2350 Ramiro Barcelos st, Zip Code: 90035-903. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.09.009

PMID

25291557

Abstract

Oppositionality encompasses distinct dimensions, and few studies have investigated the validity of such distinctions from a pathophysiological perspective. Our aim was to investigate the association between sympathetic skin responses (SSR) and distinct oppositional dimensions in a community sample of adolescents. Forty adolescents aged 13.84±1.46 years participated in this study. Oppositionality was measured by externalizing behavior and bullying scores (dependent variables), while SSR was recorded by electrical changes at the skin level (independent variables).

RESULTS showed that increased SSRs were associated with oppositionality; however, these associations were specific to the headstrong/hurtful dimension. Further exploratory analyses demonstrated that increased SSRs were associated with several types of headstrong/hurtful behaviors and underscore the importance of the first aversive stimuli to differentiate groups with low and high headstrong/hurtful behaviors. There were no differences between groups regarding time until habituation. This study provides insights about how dysfunctions in autonomic balance may contribute to the emergence of oppositional behavior among adolescents.

Language: en