Research Assistants from the DAS Lab went to the Canadian Psychological Association Conference!
Zack Allan presented his poster titled: The Moderating Effect of Physical Activity on Internalizing Symptoms Following Early Life Adversity
Abstract: “Exposure to early life adversity (ELA) increases risk for mental and physical health conditions, underlining the need to identify protective factors following early adversity. Although some evidence suggests that physical activity modulates the same mechanistic pathways that increase risk following ELA, the extent to which exercise buffers the link between ELA and internalizing symptoms remains largely untested. The present study (N = 64, Age M[SD] = 20.8 [2.2]; 82.81% women) examined whether physical activity levels moderate the association between ELA and adult internalizing symptoms (anxiety and depression). Analysis revealed greater physical activity significantly moderates the association of ELA and anxiety but not depression, such that ELA predicted elevated anxiety only among those who are more physically active. Results suggest individuals exposed to ELA may engage in physical activity to attenuate levels of anxiety, with those experiencing depression unable to exercise due to symptomology (e.g., anhedonia, lack of energy). These findings support a nuanced approach to understanding physiological thresholds required to activate mechanisms of change.”
Simi DiPaula presented her poster titled: Examining the Role of Effortful Control in Association Between Trait Anxiety and Negative Interpretation Bias
Abstract: “Background: Cognitive models link elevated trait anxiety and negative interpretation bias. Yet, protective factors in this association remain largely untested. This study examined whether overall effortful control or its subcomponents (attentional, inhibitory, and activation control) buffered the relationship between greater trait anxiety and a more negative interpretation bias. Method: 409 undergraduate participants (75% women, 60% Asian) self-reported trait anxiety and effortful control. Participants also completed the Valence Bias Task, capturing negative interpretations of ambiguous images. Results: Hierarchical linear regression models indicated that greater trait anxiety predicted more negative interpretations (p<.05). Yet, neither effortful control nor its subcomponents interacted with trait anxiety to predict fewer negative interpretations. Conclusions: Although supporting cognitive models of anxiety, our findings suggest that effortful control does not protect against heightened threat processing for those with elevated trait anxiety. Impact: This study was the first to examine effortful control as a moderator between trait anxiety and negative interpretations of visual ambiguity. Although further study is needed, findings underline the importance of modifying anxiety-related cognitive biases to mitigate risk for internalizing symptoms.”
We also want to congratulate Mary Cheuk and Cindy Yu, who presented posters from other research labs!