0163 AMPLITUDE OF LIGHT EXPOSURE IS ASSOCIATED WITH MATERNAL HOSTILE ATTRIBUTIONS AND CHILD BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS.

Abstract

Introduction: Light has potent effects on entraining circadian rhythms, including sleep and daily variations in cognitive performance. Additionally, light acutely influences cognition (e.g., alertness, cognitive flexibility) and mood-states. However, little work has examined associations between light and higher-order social cognition. In parent-child dyads, social cognitive factors have been linked to maladaptive parenting and poor child outcomes. If light exposure influences child behavior and social cognitive factors linked to parenting, light may have potential as a novel intervention for improving family functioning. The present study examines whether amplitude of light exposure is associated with maternal hostile attributions and child behavior in disadvantaged mother-child dyads. Methods: Pilot study of 22 low-income mother-child dyads (mean ages mother = 29.08, child = 4.46 years). Light data were collected via wrist-worn photic sensors for 7 consecutive days. Circadian parameters were calculated with cosinor in R. Maternal hostile attributions and punishment were assessed with Child Vingettes and child behavior was assessed by the Child Behavioral Checklist. Results: In children, lower light amplitude was significantly associated with parent- and teacher-reported withdrawn behaviors (r = -.47, p = 0.02 and r = -.51, p = 0.03, respectively) and showed trend-level associations with more anxious/depressed and aggressive behaviors. Higher light amplitude in mothers was associated with increased reports of children's anxious, depressed and emotionally reactive behaviors. Maternal light amplitude was associated with hostile attributions (r = -.32, p = 0.08) and punishment (r = -.29, p = .10) at trend levels, suggesting mothers may have overly negative perceptions of their children's behavior. Conclusion: Findings suggest lower light amplitude in children is linked to more withdrawn and anxious/depressed behaviors. Lower maternal light amplitude was associated with increased maternal ratings of problem behavior in their child and tended to be associated with increased maternal hostile attributions and punishment. These findings suggest that light exposure may impact parent-child relationships by directly affecting specific aspects of parental social cognition as well as child behaviors. Consequently, light may have potential as a novel intervention to improve mother-child interactions.