Effects of Childhood Adversity on Brainwave Activity in Assessing Adult Facial Expression
Abstract
Lifespan effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on individual psychosocial cognition and behavioral health outcomes have become a topic of public interest. A rising awareness of mental health issues has highlighted diverse effects of early trauma. Much of the research has focused on subjective measures of mental well-being; however, there is growing interest in the impact of childhood trauma on physiological brain function. Previous event-related potential (ERP) research has been inconclusive as to the relationship between ACEs and brainwaves; some studies have shown higher amplitude responses to emotional facial expression compared to neutral facial stimuli, while others have found the opposite result. The goal of the current study is to examine physiological effects related to social cognitive dysfunction in college aged participants. Using electroencephalogram (EEG), the face-sensitive N170 ERP was used to examine differences related to their reported amount childhood adversity. Prior to the study, participants completed the Variability in Adverse Childhood Experiences (VACE) scale, which measures ACEs and positive childhood experiences. Participants were instructed to differentiate between negative, positive and neutral adult facial expressions. Participants completed three blocks of 130 trials, in each block one of the facial expressions was defined as the “target,” and their task was to respond “yes” if the image matched the target facial expression and respond “no” if the facial expression was one of the other two facial expressions. Analysis showed statistically significant correlation between N170 amplitudes in the right hemisphere and VACEs. Given the ambiguity surrounding this topic, further research is needed to clarify the relationship between childhood trauma and brainwaves.
Start Time
16-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 4:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Faculty Mentor
Eric Sellers
Faculty Department
Psychology
Effects of Childhood Adversity on Brainwave Activity in Assessing Adult Facial Expression
Lifespan effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on individual psychosocial cognition and behavioral health outcomes have become a topic of public interest. A rising awareness of mental health issues has highlighted diverse effects of early trauma. Much of the research has focused on subjective measures of mental well-being; however, there is growing interest in the impact of childhood trauma on physiological brain function. Previous event-related potential (ERP) research has been inconclusive as to the relationship between ACEs and brainwaves; some studies have shown higher amplitude responses to emotional facial expression compared to neutral facial stimuli, while others have found the opposite result. The goal of the current study is to examine physiological effects related to social cognitive dysfunction in college aged participants. Using electroencephalogram (EEG), the face-sensitive N170 ERP was used to examine differences related to their reported amount childhood adversity. Prior to the study, participants completed the Variability in Adverse Childhood Experiences (VACE) scale, which measures ACEs and positive childhood experiences. Participants were instructed to differentiate between negative, positive and neutral adult facial expressions. Participants completed three blocks of 130 trials, in each block one of the facial expressions was defined as the “target,” and their task was to respond “yes” if the image matched the target facial expression and respond “no” if the facial expression was one of the other two facial expressions. Analysis showed statistically significant correlation between N170 amplitudes in the right hemisphere and VACEs. Given the ambiguity surrounding this topic, further research is needed to clarify the relationship between childhood trauma and brainwaves.