Physiological reactivity, social support, and memory in early childhood.
The interactive effects of physiological reactivity and social support on children's memory were examined. Four- to 6-year-olds completed a laboratory protocol during which autonomic responses and salivary cortisol were measured. Memory was assessed shortly afterward and 2 weeks later. During the second interview, children were questioned by a supportive or nonsupportive interviewer. Few significant relations emerged between reactivity and children's short-term memory. Following a 2-week delay, cortisol reactivity was associated with poorer memory and autonomic reactivity was associated with increased accuracy among children questioned in a supportive manner but decreased accuracy among children questioned in a nonsupportive manner. Results question traditional conceptualizations of reactivity as a risk factor and instead suggest that reactivity may only confer risk in certain environmental contexts.
Quas
Jodi A
JA
Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, 92697-7085, USA. jquas@uci.edu
Bauer
Amy
A
Boyce
W Thomas
WT
D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011939:Mental Recall; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording
D006854:Hydrocortisone