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. 2004 May-Jun;75(3):797-814.
doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00707.x.

Physiological reactivity, social support, and memory in early childhood

Jodi A Quas  1 , Amy Bauer, W Thomas Boyce
Affiliations

Physiological reactivity, social support, and memory in early childhood

Jodi A Quas et al. Child Dev. 2004 May-Jun.

Abstract

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The significant Autonomic Reactivity × Social Support interaction predicting children's correct responses to direct questions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The significant Autonomic Reactivity × Social Support interaction predicting children's do-not-know responses to direct questions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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