Infant frontal alpha asymmetry predicts social attention and transdiagnostic risk for emotional reactivity.

Background: Differences in Frontal Alpha Asymmetry (FAA), derived from the electroencephalogram (EEG), have been associated with approach-withdrawal behavior, although inconsistently. The current study examined how early patterns of FAA during the first 2 years of life relate to various socioemotional characteristics (at 2 years) and ultimately psychopathology symptoms (at 3 years). Methods: Using a longitudinal prospective cohort design, 211 families were followed during the first two years of life. EEG data were obtained at 2-, 6-, 9-, 12-, and 24 months. Child socioemotional characteristics were assessed at 2 years using the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. Child psychopathology symptoms were assessed at 3 years using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Structural Equation Models were used for analyses. Results: Greater relative left frontal asymmetry at 12 months was associated with greater social attention ( Conclusion: FAA lateralization at 12 months was linked to early social attention, empathy, and social approach at 2 years. However, only lower levels of social attention predicted higher emotional reactivity at 3 years. These findings highlight the importance of attentional processes (e.g., social attention), rather than behavioral differences (e.g., approach/withdrawal) for the link between FAA and psychopathology. Future research replicating these findings and on interventions addressing underlying attentional/sensory processing differences may be relevant to support the development of emotion regulation.