Correlates and characteristics of adolescents' encoded emotional arousal during family conflict

Emotion. 2012 Dec;12(6):1281-91. doi: 10.1037/a0028872. Epub 2012 Jul 9.

Abstract

Associations between adolescents' range of fundamental frequency, cortisol output, and self-reported emotional experience were examined during problem discussions with parents. Participants are a community-based sample of 56 boys and girls in a longitudinal study on conflict exposure. Results reveal that higher aggregate levels of range of fundamental frequency are associated with higher cortisol output and higher levels of self-reported negative emotions for boys and girls. Additionally, greater cortisol output is significantly associated with a slower time-to-peak of range of fundamental frequency for girls and with significantly less variability in range of fundamental frequency for boys. Implications of results for emotional development in adolescents, measurement, and modeling are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / physiology*
  • Arousal / physiology*
  • Child
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Family Conflict / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical
  • Psychological Tests
  • Saliva / metabolism
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Hydrocortisone