Adverse Childhood Experiences and Recent Stressful Events as Related to Baseline Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia

• Evelyn Steinman, Psychology, University of Delaware

• Mary Dozier, Psychology, University of Delaware

Early adversity has been linked to differences in physiological regulation and later psychological outcomes. However, less is known about the association between combined early and later stressful experiences on physiological regulation. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is a physiological marker within the parasympathetic nervous system that plays a role in stress regulation. The present study examines the relationship between RSA, adverse childhood experiences, and recent stressful life events. Participants included adult expectant mothers participating in a parenting intervention. Measures included a self-report adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) questionnaire, a questionnaire of stressful life events reported over the past 12 months, and electrocardiogram data from which resting RSA was derived during a 5-minute baseline period. A multiple linear regression tested whether ACEs, recent stressful life events, and their interaction predicted resting RSA. It was hypothesized that recent stressful life events would moderate the association between ACEs and resting RSA. Results showed there was no significant relationship between ACEs and RSA, and recent stressful events did not significantly alter that finding. These results may contribute to a better understanding of how early and recent stress exposures interact in relation to physiological regulation, and what future research is needed.