Development and Psychopathology

Table of Contents - 1996 - Volume 8, Issue 01 (Special Issue: Regulatory Process)  

Articles

Physiological regulation in high-risk infants: A model for assessment and potential intervention

Stephen W. Porgesa1 c1

a1 Institute for Child Study, University of Maryland

Abstract

The model presented identifies the importance of neural regulation of autonomic state as an antecedent substrate for emotional, cognitive, and behavioral regulation. It is proposed that individual differences in neural regulation of autonomic state are related to normal and abnormal development. Establishing nervous system regulation of autonomic state is the infant's initial task of self-regulation. Survival for the high-risk infant is based primarily on physiological self-regulation. Although the methods described focus on the high-risk neonate, the model provides insight into normal development and may be generalized to the study of older children and adults with behavioral and psychological problems. Moreover, the model may contribute to assessment and intervention strategics for normal and abnormal development.

Correspondence:

c1 Stephen W. Porges, Department of Human Development, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-1131, USA. E-mail: porges@umdd.umd.edu.