Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, RM, Chile.
PLoS One. 2013 Aug 5;8(8):e70247. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070247. Print 2013.
Research suggests that individuals with different attachment patterns process social information differently, especially in terms of facial emotion recognition. However, few studies have explored social information processes in adolescents. This study examined the behavioral and ERP correlates of emotional processing in adolescents with different attachment orientations (insecure attachment group and secure attachment group; IAG and SAG, respectively). This study also explored the association of these correlates to individual neuropsychological profiles.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We used a modified version of the dual valence task (DVT), in which participants classify stimuli (faces and words) according to emotional valence (positive or negative). Results showed that the IAG performed significantly worse than SAG on tests of executive function (EF attention, processing speed, visuospatial abilities and cognitive flexibility). In the behavioral DVT, the IAG presented lower performance and accuracy. The IAG also exhibited slower RTs for stimuli with negative valence. Compared to the SAG, the IAG showed a negative bias for faces; a larger P1 and attenuated N170 component over the right hemisphere was observed. A negative bias was also observed in the IAG for word stimuli, which was demonstrated by comparing the N170 amplitude of the IAG with the valence of the SAG. Finally, the amplitude of the N170 elicited by the facial stimuli correlated with EF in both groups (and negative valence with EF in the IAG).
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that individuals with different attachment patterns process key emotional information and corresponding EF differently. This is evidenced by an early modulation of ERP components' amplitudes, which are correlated with behavioral and neuropsychological effects. In brief, attachments patterns appear to impact multiple domains, such as emotional processing and EFs.
研究表明，具有不同依恋模式的个体在处理社会信息时存在差异，尤其是在面部情绪识别方面。然而，很少有研究探讨青少年的社会信息处理过程。本研究考察了具有不同依恋倾向（不安全依恋组和安全依恋组；IAG 和 SAG）的青少年在情绪处理中的行为和 ERP 相关性。本研究还探讨了这些相关性与个体神经心理学特征的关联。
方法/主要发现：我们使用了改良的双价任务（DVT），参与者根据情绪效价（正性或负性）对刺激（面孔和词语）进行分类。结果表明，IAG 在执行功能（EF 注意、加工速度、视空间能力和认知灵活性）测试中的表现明显劣于 SAG。在行为 DVT 中，IAG 的表现和准确率较低。IAG 对负性刺激的反应时也较慢。与 SAG 相比，IAG 对面孔表现出负性偏向；在右半球观察到更大的 P1 和减弱的 N170 成分。IAG 对词语刺激也表现出负性偏向，这通过比较 IAG 的 N170 振幅与 SAG 的效价来证明。最后，面部刺激诱发的 N170 振幅与两组的 EF 相关（IAG 中的负性效价与 EF 相关）。
结论/意义：我们的结果表明，具有不同依恋模式的个体在处理关键情绪信息和相应的 EF 时存在差异。这表现在 ERP 成分振幅的早期调制上，这些调制与行为和神经心理学效应相关。简而言之，依恋模式似乎会影响多个领域，如情绪处理和执行功能。
