TY - JOUR PY - 2016// TI - Relational victimization and depressive symptoms: the role of autonomic nervous system reactivity in emerging adults JO - International journal of psychophysiology A1 - Holterman, Leigh Ann A1 - Murray-Close, Dianna K. A1 - Breslend, Nicole Lafko SP - 119 EP - 127 VL - 110 IS - N2 - The goal of the current study was to investigate the association between relational victimization, defined as being the target of aggressive acts that damage relationships (e.g., gossip, social exclusion) and depressive symptoms during the relatively understudied developmental period of emerging adulthood. In addition, as individual differences in stress reactivity may influence the outcomes associated with victimization by peers, the moderating roles of sympathetic nervous system (SNS; as measured by skin conductance reactivity) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS; as measured by respiratory sinus arrhythmia) reactivity to social and non-social stressors were examined.

FINDINGS indicated that relational victimization was positively related to depressive symptoms in individuals demonstrating coactivation (i.e., high SNS and PNS reactivity) and coinhibition (blunted SNS and PNS reactivity) to both social and non-social stressor tasks. These patterns may reflect a breakdown of regulation in the body's physiological response to stress, thus increasing risk for depressive symptoms in the context of peer stress.

FINDINGS highlight potential areas for future interventions.

Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0167-8760 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.11.003 ID - ref1 ER -