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Autonomic response and attachment style in disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

Michelle Leal1, Marilyn Adan1, Keri J Heilman2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The South African Journal of Psychiatry : SAJP : the Journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa
|November 7, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Children with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) show a higher prevalence of avoidant attachment styles. This suggests a link between attachment and physiological regulation in DMDD, offering potential intervention targets.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is characterized by severe difficulties in emotion regulation, particularly anger and irritability in children.
  • The impact of attachment on emotional and behavioral regulation is significant, yet the link between attachment style and DMDD remains under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if attachment style and parasympathetic regulation differentiate response profiles to frustration in children with DMDD compared to controls.
  • To explore the relationship between physiological regulation, attachment, and social interaction problems in children with DMDD.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty children, 15 with DMDD and 15 controls, were assessed in a school setting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart period were measured during a frustration-inducing Affective Posner Task.
  • Attachment style was assessed using the Attachment Style Classification Questionnaire, and parents of DMDD children completed a social interaction problems questionnaire.

Main Results:

  • The DMDD group exhibited a higher prevalence of avoidant attachment style compared to controls (p=0.013).
  • Both groups showed adaptive vagal withdrawal and recovery during the task, but controls had significantly higher heart period.
  • In the DMDD group, lower vagal tone during frustration correlated with increased social interaction problems (p=0.049).

Conclusions:

  • The study indicates a potential link between attachment style and altered physiological states in children diagnosed with DMDD.
  • Findings suggest atypical vagal regulation and avoidant attachment styles may be relevant in DMDD, pointing to potential therapeutic targets.
Abstract

Keywords:
DMDDattachmentemotion regulationheart rate variabilityvagal tone

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