Inhibitory control in typically developing preschoolers: Relations among temperament, respiratory sinus arrhythmia,
Raha Hassan1, Kimberly L Day2, Ryan J Van Lieshout3
1Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and private speech interact to influence inhibitory control in 4-year-olds. Concordant patterns of physiological and behavioral self-regulation predict better adjustment and emotionality.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Inhibitory control (IC) is crucial for children's positive adjustment.
- Factors influencing the development of IC are not fully understood.
- Self-regulation, encompassing physiological and behavioral aspects, plays a key role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and private speech in predicting inhibitory control in preschoolers.
- To examine how physiological and behavioral self-regulation patterns influence IC and related adjustment factors.
Main Methods:
- Studied 52 typically developing 4-year-olds.
- Measured baseline and on-task RSA (physiological self-regulation).
- Observed private speech (behavioral self-regulation) and inhibitory control.
Main Results:
- Baseline RSA moderated the link between private speech and IC.
- Children with concordant RSA and private speech patterns (high/high or low/low) showed higher IC, effortful control, and lower negative emotionality.
- Discordant patterns (high RSA/low private speech or low RSA/high private speech) were associated with different outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in physiological and behavioral self-regulation interact to shape inhibitory control development.
- Distinct self-regulation pathways contribute to IC and overall adjustment in early childhood.
Abstract:
Although inhibitory control (IC) is associated with children's positive adjustment, we know relatively little about factors underlying its development. We examined whether baseline and on-task respiratory sinus arrhythmia [(RSA); a physiological measure of self-regulation] and private speech (a behavioral measure of self-regulation) interacted to confer differences on directly observed IC in 52 typically developing 4-year olds. We found that baseline RSA moderated the association between private speech and IC, such that private speech positively predicted IC in children with relatively higher baseline RSA, but was unrelated to IC in children with relatively lower RSA. We also found that children with a concordant physiological-behavioral pattern (i.e., high RSA and high private speech; low RSA and low private speech) had higher IC, higher effortful control, and lower negative emotionality than those with a discordant physiological-behavioral pattern (i.e., high RSA and low private speech; low RSA and high private speech). Individual differences in physiological and behavioral self-regulation indices may represent distinct regulation pathways that interact to confer differences in IC during the preschool years.
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