Heightened response to positive facial cues as a potential marker of resilience following childhood adversity

Figures & data

Table 1. Demographics, Cognitive Abilities, Psychological, Behavioural and Social Functioning in the Maltreated (MT; n = 42) and non-maltreated group (NMT; n = 32).

	MT	NMT
Measures	Percentage	Percentage
Female	52.4%	56.3%
Caucasian	40.5%	40.6%
	Mean (SD)	Mean (SD)
Age^a	13.3 (2.1)	13.2 (1.9)
PDS^b	2.5 (0.8)	2.4 (0.8)
WASI-IQ^c	100.2 (12.4)	104.8 (12.4)
SES^d	3.3 (1.0)	2.9
SDQ total score^e ***	12.9 (5.5)	8.9 (4.3)
CASSS^f	58.8 (8.0)	56.2 (11.8)

Notes: *** p < .001.

^a age range = 9–16 years. ^bPDS = Puberty Development Scale (Petersen et al., 1988), a composite score of parent and child reports (in each group, the parent report was not available for one participant, and the child report was not available for two participants). ^cWASI-IQ = two IQ-subscales derived from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence (Wechsler, 2011). ^dSES = socioeconomic status; highest parental/carer level of education rated on a 6-point scale from 0 (no formal qualifications) to 5 (postgraduate qualifications). ^eSDQ = Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 2001), a composite score of parent and child reports (for one NMT participant the parent report was not available). ^fCASSS = total frequency scores of the close friend subscale of the Childhood and Adolescent Social Support Scale; MT = 40, NMT = 31 with available CASSS data (Malecki & Demaray, 2002).

Figure 1. Mean Intensity Scores for Happy and Fearful Facial Expressions in the MT and NMT. Note. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals.

A profile plot showing that the mean intensity score for positive emotions (happiness) is higher in the MT compared to the NMT group. On the other hand, the mean intensity score for negative emotions (fear) was comparable across groups.

Figure 2. A Mediation Model Depicting the Associations Between Maltreatment Exposure (MT and NMT groups), Mean Intensity Scores for Happy Faces, and Mental Health Symptoms (SDQ Total Score). Note. Coefficient values are standardised; the interaction term (i.e. indirect effect: a x b) significance threshold is measured using bootstrapping (n = 5000, CI = 95%), and heteroscedasticity consistent Huber-White standard error is implemented; N = 74 (MT = 42; NMT = 32); * = statistically significant coefficients.

A structural equation modelling mediation diagram showing that the association between substantiated maltreatment exposure and higher mental health symptoms is partially reduced (as shown by a negative indirect effect) via higher intensity scores for happy faces in the group of young people with maltreatment exposure.

Figure 3. Mean Intensity Scores for Happy Faces are Plotted as a Function of Social Support (CASSS Frequency Scores) and Maltreatment Status (MT and NMT groups).

A scatter plot (with a fitted line for the MT and NMT group respectively) showing that the association between maltreatment exposure and mean happiness intensity scores is moderated by perceived peer social support (CASSS Frequency Score). Only in the MT group, the presence of higher perceived peer support is associated with higher mean happiness intensity scores (as shown by the positive sloped fitted line for the MT group and a flat fitted line for the NMT group).

Figure 4. A Moderated-Mediation Model Depicting the Associations Between Maltreatment Exposure (MT and NMT groups), Social Support (CASSS Frequency Scores), Mean Intensity Scores for Happy Faces, and Mental Health Symptoms (SDQ Total Score). Note. Coefficient values are standardised; the moderated-mediation coefficient (i.e. conditional indirect effect: a₃ x b) significance threshold is measured using bootstrapping (n = 5000, CI = 95%), and a heteroscedasticity consistent Huber-White standard error is implemented; N = 71 (MT = 40; NMT = 31); * = statistically significant coefficients.

A structural equation modelling moderated-mediation diagram showing that the association between substantiated maltreatment exposure and higher mental health symptoms is partially reduced (as shown by a negative indirect effect) by the higher mean intensity score for happy faces in the group of young people with maltreatment exposure who tend to report higher levels of support from peers.

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Data availability statement

The data associated with this study has yet to be made publicly accessible. To discuss access, please contact the Principal Investigator, Professor Eamon McCrory, [email protected].