A behavioural and electrophysiological exploration into facial and vocal emotion processing in children with behaviour problems

The present thesis consists of two parts: a behavioural and an electrophysiological exploration of children’s facial and vocal emotion processing. Former research has suggested that social dysfunctioning in school-aged children with behaviour problems may stem from difficulties in understanding others’ emotions from facial expressions. Study 1 examined emotion processing difficulties, from facial and vocal expressions, in preschool children with externalising and internalising behaviour problems from the community. Study 1 provided evidence for vocal emotion processing difficulties in preschoolers with externalising but not internalising symptoms. Studies 2 and 3 examined the development of facial and vocal emotion processing and investigated emotion processing difficulties in school-aged children with externalising and internalising symptoms. Study 4 addressed the cognitive processes (ERPs) underlying vocal anger processing in children and isolated a neural marker of vocal anger processing. This emotion modulation of children’s brain potential was not observed during facial anger processing (Study 5). Study 4 provided initial evidence for links between a neural marker of vocal anger processing and emotion dysregulation and conduct problems. In contrast, non emotion-specific difficulties in face processing were associated with internalising symptoms (anxiety and depression) in children. The present research highlights the potentially salient role of vocal anger processing in child externalising psychopathology.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Ph.D.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Southampton

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Chronaki, Georgia

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Sonuga-Barke, Edmund J.S.