Connecting the dots: social networks in the classroom and white matter connections in the brain

Background Peer connections in school classrooms play an important role in social–emotional development and mental health. However, research on the association between children's peer relationships and white matter connections in the brain is scarce. We studied associations between peer relatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of child psychology and psychiatry 2022-12, Vol.63 (12), p.1622-1630
Main Authors: Mulder, Rosa H., López‐Vicente, Mónica, Cortes Hidalgo, Andrea P., Steenkamp, Lisa R., Güroğlu, Berna, Tiemeier, Henning, Muetzel, Ryan L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain
Brain - diagnostic imaging
brain imaging
Bullying
Bullying behavior
Child
Children
Classrooms
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Emotional development
Generation R Study
Humans
Maturation
Mental health
peer acceptance
Peer rejection
Peer Relationship
Peer relationships
peer victimization
Population Distribution
Social development
Social Networking
Social networks
Victimization
White Matter - diagnostic imaging
white matter microstructure
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Summary:Background Peer connections in school classrooms play an important role in social–emotional development and mental health. However, research on the association between children's peer relationships and white matter connections in the brain is scarce. We studied associations between peer relationships in the classroom and white matter structural connectivity in a pediatric population‐based sample. Methods Bullying and victimization, as well as rejection and acceptance, were assessed in classrooms in 634 children at age 7. White matter microstructure (fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD)) was measured with diffusion tensor imaging at age 10. We examined global metrics of white matter microstructure and used Tract‐Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) for voxel‐wise associations. Results Peer victimization was associated with higher global FA and lower global MD and peer rejection was associated with lower global MD; however, these associations did not remain after multiple testing correction. Voxel‐wise TBSS results for peer victimization and rejection were in line with global metrics both in terms of direction and spatial extent of the associations, with associated voxels (pFWE 
ISSN:0021-9630
1469-7610
DOI:10.1111/jcpp.13647