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Affective Decision-Making and Externalizing Behaviors: The Role of Autonomic Activity

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Abstract

We tested a conceptual model involving the inter-relations among affective decision-making (indexed by a gambling task), autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms in a largely impoverished, inner city sample of first through third grade children (N = 63, 54% male). The present study hypothesized that impaired affective decision-making and decreased sympathetic and parasympathetic activation would be associated with higher levels of ADHD and ODD symptoms, and that low sympathetic and parasympathetic activation during an emotion-inducing task would mediate the relation between affective decision-making and child externalizing symptoms. In support of our model, disadvantageous decision-making on a gambling task was associated with ADHD hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms among boys, and attenuated sympathetic activation during an emotion-inducing task mediated this relation. Support for the model was not found among girls.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by grants from Temple University’s Office of the Vice President for Research and College of Liberal Arts. Preparation of this manuscript was supported by a Temple University Study Leave to Dr. Drabick. Thank you to Theodore Beauchaine, Jason Chein, Laurence Steinberg, and Stephen Hinshaw for their valuable comments and insights on versions of this manuscript. The authors are particularly indebted to the families, principals, and school staff who participated in this research.

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  1. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-6085, USA

    Jennifer L. Bubier & Deborah A. G. Drabick

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  1. Jennifer L. Bubier
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Correspondence to Jennifer L. Bubier.

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Bubier, J.L., Drabick, D.A.G. Affective Decision-Making and Externalizing Behaviors: The Role of Autonomic Activity. J Abnorm Child Psychol 36, 941–953 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-008-9225-9

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