A systematic review of caregiver–child physiological synchrony across systems: Associations with behavior and child functioning

Abstract

Extensive research has established a positive association between caregiver-child behavioral synchrony and child developmental functioning. Burgeoning research examining physiological synchrony has yet to elucidate its impact for children’s developing self-regulation. The objectives of this systematic review were to: 1) determine whether there is evidence that caregiver-child physiological synchrony promotes positive child development, 2) examine developmental differences in physiological synchrony and its correlates, and 3) explore whether context, risk, and/or stress influence patterns of synchrony. Sixty-nine studies met the following criteria on PubMed and PsycINFO: 1) peer-reviewed empirical articles in English that 2) examine autonomic, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical, and/or central nervous system activity 3) for caregivers and children 4) in response to a task and 5) directly examine the association between caregiver and child physiology. Findings varied based on developmental period and current behavioral context. Functional differences may exist across physiological systems and contexts. Synchrony may have different developmental consequences for dyads with and without certain risk factors. Few studies examine physiological synchrony across multiple systems or contexts, nor do they measure child characteristics associated with synchrony. Statistical and methodological challenges impede interpretation. Findings generally support the idea that physiological synchrony may support children’s developing self-regulation. Longitudinal research is needed to examine child developmental outcomes over time.

A developmental–contextual model of couple synchrony across adulthood and old age.

“…Each index might reflect activity of a different psychophysiological system with its own characteristics, including the speed of responses to external circumstances (e.g., fast response for heart rate vs. slow response for salivary cortisol), underlying rhythms (e.g., oscillations for respiration vs. a marked diurnal pattern of a morning decrease and subsequent increase for salivary α-amylase), relevant confounding factors (e.g., temperature for skin-conductance levels vs. intake of caffeine for cortisol), and types of psychosocial contexts they respond to (e.g., socioevaluative threat for cortisol). Consequently, markers of the sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis activity might behave differently when it comes to couple synchrony (Coutinho et al, 2021; Nelson et al, 2017; Palumbo et al, 2017; for evidence from parent–child synchrony, see Davis et al, 2018; DePasquale, 2020).…”

Assessing Unpredictability in Caregiver-Child Relationships: Insights from Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives

“…We anchored this review in DST, focusing mostly on how moment-to-moment and dayto-day dynamics may be paramount to unpredictability in caregiver-child relationships. How caregivers and children interact and co-determine each other's affect and behavior in real-time lays the foundations for physiological and behavioral development over the lifespan (Baram et al, 2012;Beebe et al, 2010;Cassidy et al, 2013;DePasquale, 2020;Feldman, 2021). DST indicates that coherent functioning in a dyad emerges from moment-to-moment interactions that self-organize into predictable and complex patterns that embed into higher-order developmental processes over time (Granic & Hollenstein, 2015;Lewis, 2011).…”

“…Dynamic systems theory (DST) extends Bronfenbrenner's hierarchy of nested systems, highlighting the importance of temporal processes in the organization and predictability across these systems (Hollenstein, 2007;Lewis, 2011). A guiding premise of this work is that moment-to-moment interactions and biobehavioral signals self-organize into flexible but predictable patterns, fostering behavioral and homeostatic rhythms that support the development of emotional and cognitive circuitry (Davis et al, 2017;DePasquale, 2020;Feldman, 2021).…”

Parental history of childhood maltreatment and child average RSA shape parent–child RSA synchrony

“…Lastly, prior work on RSA synchrony has highlighted the importance of moving away from static measures of synchrony that may mask the dynamic nature of RSA synchrony over time (DePasquale, 2020). We implemented multilevel intradyad dynamics modeling, also called state‐trait modeling (Bolger & Laurenceau, 2013; Shanahan et al., 2014), which allows us to examine how dynamic changes in one individual's state RSA (i.e., increases or decreases with respect to that individual's average RSA), may be related to dynamic changes in their partner's state RSA (i.e., increases or decreases with respect to the partner's average RSA).…”

“…Lastly, prior work on RSA synchrony has highlighted the importance of moving away from static measures of synchrony that may mask the dynamic nature of RSA synchrony over time (DePasquale, 2020).…”