Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Family cohesion moderates the inverted U-shaped curve between resting RSA and children's empathy
1College of Education Science, Weinan Normal University, Weinan, China.
Abstract:
Resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and family cohesion may jointly influence children's empathy. Resting RSA has been found to exhibit an inverted U-shaped relation with empathy, and family cohesion is a psychosocial correlate of children's empathy that may moderate this relation. The present study recruited 182 first-grade children as participants (87 girls, Mage = 7.02, SDage = 0.36). Parents completed questionnaires to assess family cohesion and children's empathy. The SOMNOtouch RESP device was utilized to collect resting electrocardiogram data and calculate resting RSA. The results showed that family cohesion significantly moderated the inverted U-shaped curve between resting RSA and children's empathy. High family cohesion served as a protective factor in mitigating the negative impact of high resting RSA on empathy but could not buffer the negative effect of extremely low resting RSA on empathy among children. The findings suggest a role for high family cohesion in promoting empathy in children with moderate to high resting RSA.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Empathy
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...

