@article{ref1,
title="Extinction learning as a potential mechanism linking high vagal tone with lower PTSD symptoms among abused youth",
journal="Journal of abnormal child psychology",
year="2019",
author="Jenness, Jessica L. and Miller, Adam Bryant and Rosen, Maya L. and McLaughlin, Katie A.",
volume="47",
number="4",
pages="659-670",
abstract="Childhood abuse is a potent risk factor for psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has shown high resting vagal tone, a measure of parasympathetic nervous system function, protects abused youth from developing internalizing psychopathology, but potential mechanisms explaining this effect are unknown. We explored fear extinction learning as a possible mechanism underlying the protective effect of vagal tone on PTSD symptoms among abused youth. We measured resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and skin conductance responses (SCR) during a fear conditioning and extinction task in youth with variability in abuse exposure (N = 94; aged 6-18 years). High RSA predicted lower PTSD symptoms and enhanced extinction learning among abused youths. In a moderated-mediation model, extinction learning mediated the association of abuse with PTSD symptoms only among youth with high RSA. These findings highlight extinction learning as a possible mechanism linking high vagal tone to decreased risk for PTSD symptoms among abused youth.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0091-0627",
doi="10.1007/s10802-018-0464-0",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10802-018-0464-0"
}