Neurophysiological Developments that underlie Age-related Changes in Coping

Abstract

The neurophysiological subsystems that underlie threat detection, stress reactivity, regulation, and recovery can be thought of as a single multi-level integrated system, whose development consists of the sequential appearance of these levels and their successive integration. Already at birth, the neurophysiological system is layered with redundant and backup processes, as befits a system preserved because of the advantages it confers for survival. When this integrated multi-level system develops well, it eventually supports flexible functioning that is well-calibrated to internal and external conditions. When stress is low, it supports productive social and goal-directed interactions. If novelty or uncertainty is encountered, it orchestrates a cautious vigilant state of readiness for action. In the face of challenge, it can mobilize short-term energetic resources and heightened regulation. If interactions become threatening, it can trigger automatic stress reactions that direct defense or escape behaviors. When stress has passed, it can quickly turn off expensive metabolic expenditures and more slowly return the system to homeostatic functioning. Learning from such stressful encounters is encoded in automatic conditioned responses as well as in flexible learning structures. In fact, this kind of flexible up- and down-regulation in response to changing environmental and internal conditions can be thought of as “exercise” for stress reactivity and threat systems. Over time, this coordinated pattern of functioning may contribute to the development of stress resistance and stress resilience in these biopsychological systems.