Associations between physiological reactivity and children's behavior: advantages of a multisystem approach

J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2002 Apr;23(2):102-13. doi: 10.1097/00004703-200204000-00007.

Abstract

The past decade has seen a notable increase in interest in and research concerning the physiological correlates of behavior problems in childhood. The present article reviews what this growing body of research has revealed. The main tenet is that disruptions in both sympathetic and adrenocortical regulation appear to be common among children with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The associations between such neuroendocrine alterations and behavior are discussed and their implications for the fields of stress physiology, neuroendocrinology, and developmental psychopathology are outlined. It is proposed that substantial advances can be made by investigating patterns of physiological responses among multiple, concurrent systems rather than individual response systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Medulla / physiology
  • Adrenal Medulla / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / physiology*
  • Child Behavior / psychology
  • Defense Mechanisms
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiology
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology*
  • Internal-External Control
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiology
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology*