Explorer Project Self- and Co-regulation in family interactions
Self- and co-regulation in dyadic interactions (SECODI): Methods, Mechanisms, and Applications
Research question
The SECODI project generally aims to capture interactions between pairs of individuals at different levels and to learn more about the relationship between biological, neurological, and behavioral measurements. Specific methods used include video microanalysis, synchronous EEG acquisition and analysis of hyperscanning data, and the parallel measurement of physiological data (e.g., heart rate and heart rate variability. A first concrete project investigating these questions focuses on parental synchronicity. It will record how parents communicate with each other, how they behave toward each other, and which (neuro)physiological parameters this is related to. The brain activity of mothers and fathers will also be recorded. We want to investigate whether good, coordinated parental interaction (behavioral reciprocity) is associated with neural synchrony. Furthermore, we will test whether neural synchrony can be experimentally influenced by situational and/or instructional conditions and what role other parameters (e.g., relationship satisfaction, similarities in parenting behavior) play in this context.
Method
Mother and father sit opposite to each other in the laboratory. The parents receive various instructions for initiating a positive or negative interaction. They are also instructed to perform a mentalization task and a cognitive task. They then send each other emotional content using emojis.Brain activity (using an EEG (electroencephalogram)) and heart rate (using an ECG (electrocardiogram)) are recorded in parallel for both parents. The parental interaction is videotaped and subsequently coded using video analysis. In addition, various parameters are collected using questionnaires.
Findings
The surveys for this project have now been completed. The data are currently being analyzed. The first results are expected shortly. The next step will be to study other couples (friends, romantic couples) to test the extent to which the findings from parent-parent pairs can be transferred to other types of dyads. Overall, the SECODI project aims to significantly expand the range of psychological methods for measuring dyadic exchange processes and to deepen our knowledge of the interrelationships between different measurements.
Transfer
The collected data will be used for basic scientific research to better understand interactional processes and the connections between behavior, brain activity, and physical reactions. Previous studies suggest that biobehavioral synchrony may be important for the special bond between parents as partners, the challenges of parenthood, and the development of children. Therefore, the knowledge gained will be used in the future to derive practical implications, e.g., for preventive measures and psychotherapy. Further studies should help clarify the extent to which corresponding findings can be transferred to other populations.