Cognitive control as a potential neural mechanism of protective role of spirituality in anxiety disorders among American Indian people: An ERP study

Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging. 2023 Oct:335:111712. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111712. Epub 2023 Aug 29.

Abstract

Research suggests that traditional cultural factors are protective against mental health conditions in American Indian (AI) populations. This study aims to determine if cognitive control is a neurocognitive mechanism of the protective role of spirituality in AI people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Participants self-identified as AI (n = 52) and included individuals with GAD (n = 16) and without GAD (n = 36). Electroencephalography was collected during a stop-signal task to probe cognitive control using the P3 event-related potential. Higher levels of spirituality attenuated the processing efficiency disruption among individuals with GAD as indicated by P3 amplitudes closer to that of individuals without GAD.

Keywords: American Indians; Event-related potentials; Generalized anxiety disorder; Spirituality.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • American Indian or Alaska Native*
  • Anxiety Disorders* / psychology
  • Cognition
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Humans
  • Spirituality*