@article {jenness_extinction_2019,
	title = {Extinction Learning as a Potential Mechanism Linking High Vagal Tone with Lower PTSD Symptoms among Abused Youth},
	journal = {Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology},
	volume = {47},
	number = {4},
	year = {2019},
	pages = {659{\textendash}670},
	abstract = {Childhood abuse is a potent risk factor for psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has shown high resting vagal tone, a measure of parasympathetic nervous system function, protects abused youth from developing internalizing psychopathology, but potential mechanisms explaining this effect are unknown. We explored fear extinction learning as a possible mechanism underlying the protective effect of vagal tone on PTSD symptoms among abused youth. We measured resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and skin conductance responses (SCR) during a fear conditioning and extinction task in youth with variability in abuse exposure (N = 94; aged 6{\textendash}18 years). High RSA predicted lower PTSD symptoms and enhanced extinction learning among abused youths. In a moderated-mediation model, extinction learning mediated the association of abuse with PTSD symptoms only among youth with high RSA. These findings highlight extinction learning as a possible mechanism linking high vagal tone to decreased risk for PTSD symptoms among abused youth.},
	keywords = {Child abuse, Fear extinction, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Respiratory sinus arrhythmia, Resting vagal tone},
	issn = {1573-2835},
	doi = {10.1007/s10802-018-0464-0},
	url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-018-0464-0},
	author = {Jenness, Jessica L. and Miller, Adam Bryant and Rosen, Maya L. and McLaughlin, Katie A.}
}
