title: Facial EMG and heart rate responses to emotion-inducing film clips in boys with disruptive behavior disorders.
abstract: We examined aspects of emotional empathy across different physiological response systems in boys with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) and normal controls. Heart rate (HR) and electromyographic (EMG) reactivity in zygomaticus major and corrugator supercilii muscles were monitored during sadness-, anger-, or happiness-inducing film clips. Relative to controls, DBD boys showed significantly less HR reduction during sadness, and a smaller increase in corrugator EMG activity both during sadness and anger. No significant group differences emerged in HR and zygomaticus EMG responsivity during happiness. We also examined cardiac activity at rest and found higher resting HR and lower respiratory sinus arrhythmia in DBD boys compared to controls. Findings give evidence for a selective impairment in empathy with sadness and anger (not happiness) among DBD boys who exhibit relatively high levels of anxiety and poor emotional control.
authors: Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.dewied@uu.nl
authors: Minet
authors: M
authors: De Wied
authors: Anton Van
authors: AV
authors: Boxtel
authors: Jocelyne A
authors: JA
authors: Posthumus
authors: Paul P
authors: PP
authors: Goudena
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Matthys
mesh_terms: D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D004576:Electromyography; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005145:Face / Q000502:physiology*; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales