Skin conductance response to trauma interview as a candidate biomarker of trauma and related psychopathology in youth resettled as refugees

Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) include a constellation of physical and emotional profiles that youth exposed to trauma may experience. An estimated 20% of youth are exposed to trauma, and in refugee populations, up to 54% experience posttraumatic stress. Given the physical and mental health consequences associated with trauma exposure and subsequent psychopathology, identifying biomarkers of symptom severity is a top research priority. Objective: Previous research in adults found that skin conductance responses to trauma interview predicted current and future PTSS. We extended this method to refugee youth exposed to civilian war trauma and forced migration, to examine associations between PTSS and skin conductance in this uniquely vulnerable child and adolescent population. Methods: 86 refugee youth ages 7–17 years completed a trauma interview and assessment of self-reported PTSS. The mobile eSense app on a iPad was used to obtain continuous recordings of skin conductance level (SCL) during a trauma interview (trauma SCL). Skin conductance response (SCR) was calculated by subtracting the baseline SCL from the maximum amplitude of the trauma SCL. Results: SCL during trauma was significantly greater than baseline SCL, Trauma exposure was significantly associated with SCR to trauma interview, R 2 = .084, p = .042 . SCR to trauma interview was positively correlated with reexperiencing ( R 2 = .127, p = .028), and hyperarousal symptoms ( R 2 = .123, p = .048). Conclusions: The present study provides evidence for feasibility of SCR to trauma interview as a candidate biomarker of PTSS in youth. This is the first study to look at SCR to trauma interview in youth resettled as refugees and is part of the limited but growing body of research to look at biomarkers in refugee cohorts more broadly. As the number of forcibly displaced persons surges, early detection and prevention of trauma-related psychology is becoming more important than ever. HIGHLIGHTS Using the mobile eSense app, we demonstrate that skin conductance is measurable in a variety of research settings and that skin conductance response may be a biological indicator of trauma and related psychopathology – namely re-experiencing symptoms – in youth resettled as refugees.

The fear that remains: Associations between trauma, related psychopathology, and fear‐potentiated startle in youth resettled as refugees

“…Our data also point toward greater threat reactivity in youth with higher trauma exposure and corroborate findings using other measures of threat reactivity in youth (Grasser et al., 2022). FPS to both threat and safety cues was positively correlated with trauma exposure, and discrimination was better in the higher trauma group, indicative of greater threat reactivity.…”

To Predict, Prevent, and Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Review of Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Biomarkers

“…Some psychophysical markers in patients with PTSD were also investigated. One promising candidate is skin conductance (SC), which was found to be increased in patients with PTSD [ 213 , 214 ]. Although resting blood pressure was found to be elevated in PTSD patients [ 186 , 187 ], further studies are needed to assess its feasibility as a biophysical marker.…”

Strong mind, strong body: The promise of mind–body interventions to address growing mental health needs among youth

“…Indeed, similar to the NIMH's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative (Cuthbert & Kozak, 2013), the Expressive Therapies Continuum considers cross‐cutting features that are present across various techniques (e.g., movement, social connection) and may have overlapping mechanistic underpinnings. Techniques leaning toward the kinesthetic/sensory end of the continuum may be more strongly rooted in moving the body in aerobic and rhythmic ways to quell systemic inflammation (Cooper et al, 2004; Grasser, 2022; Izadpanah et al, 2012), stimulate endocannabinoid signaling (Desai et al, 2022), regulate the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity, and use movement as a form of nonverbal emotional expression. Interventions that engage perceptual/affective experiences may foster the use of creative media for personal expression and help strengthen emotion regulation.…”

“…The STARC Lab has shown that dance/movement and art therapy programs can be scaled up for implementation through virtual learning platforms, to reach a wider group of school‐age children across virtual and in‐person settings (Grasser & Javanbakht, 2021), and through community groups to facilitate neighborhood‐level interventions. Indeed, the initial success of and evidence from these programs has led to partnership with and funding from the State of Michigan's Office of Global Michigan to bring creative arts and movement therapies to all five major resettlement sites across the state to serve New Americans from Syria, Afghanistan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, and other nations (Feen‐Calligan et al, 2020; Grasser, 2022; Grasser et al, 2019; Grasser & Javanbakht, 2021). To date, over 600 New Americans and metro Detroiters have engaged in these programs (Grasser, 2022).…”

“…Indeed, the initial success of and evidence from these programs has led to partnership with and funding from the State of Michigan's Office of Global Michigan to bring creative arts and movement therapies to all five major resettlement sites across the state to serve New Americans from Syria, Afghanistan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, and other nations (Feen‐Calligan et al, 2020; Grasser, 2022; Grasser et al, 2019; Grasser & Javanbakht, 2021). To date, over 600 New Americans and metro Detroiters have engaged in these programs (Grasser, 2022).…”