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A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG
Published on: May 3, 2017
Right frontal EEG asymmetry and behavioral inhibition in infants of depressed mothers
Nancy Aaron Jones1, Tiffany Field, Amanda Almeida
1Florida Atlantic University, 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA. njones@fau.edu
Insights
Infants of mothers with psychopathology show altered brain activity and behavioral inhibition. Specifically, right frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry and withdrawal behaviors were observed in infants exposed to maternal mental health conditions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Maternal psychopathology is linked to infant behavioral inhibition.
- Physiological factors influence behavioral inhibition continuity.
- Early life experiences shape infant socio-emotional development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate electroencephalogram (EEG) activity and behavioral inhibition in 12-month-old infants.
- To compare infants of mothers with and without depression.
- To explore the relationship between maternal psychopathology and infant neurobehavioral patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized repeated measures MANOVAs (Multivariate Analysis of Variance).
- Measured electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry, specifically relative right frontal EEG asymmetry.
- Observed infant behaviors, including proximal and non-proximal interactions with a stranger, novel toy, and mother.
Main Results:
- Infants of mothers with stable psychopathology exhibited greater relative right frontal EEG asymmetry.
- This EEG pattern is associated with increased negative affect and withdrawal behaviors.
- Infants of affectively ill mothers displayed more approach behaviors toward a stranger and toy, but fewer distancing behaviors from their mothers.
Conclusions:
- Maternal psychopathology is associated with specific neurophysiological and behavioral patterns in infants.
- Findings support a framework of behavioral inhibition in infants exposed to maternal mental health issues.
- Early detection and intervention for infants at risk due to maternal psychopathology are crucial.
Abstract:
Recent studies have shown associations between maternal psychopathology and inhibited behaviors in infants. Moreover, physiological factors have been identified as affecting the continuity of behavioral inhibition across childhood. The purpose of the present study was to examine electroencephalogram (EEG) activity and inhibited behavior in 12-month-old infants of depressed versus non-depressed and mothers. Repeated measures MANOVAs indicated that the infants of mothers with stable psychopathology had greater relative right frontal EEG asymmetry, a pattern that typically accompanies greater negative affect and greater withdrawal behaviors. Infants of affectively ill mothers also showed more proximal behaviors toward a stranger and a novel toy than infants of well mothers, but fewer non-proximal behaviors toward their mothers. These results are discussed within a framework of behavioral inhibition for infants exposed to early psychopathologies in their mothers.
