6.158 THE BEHAVIORAL INHIBITION AND APPROACH SYSTEMS AND EXPRESSED EMOTION AS PREDICTORS OF INTERNALIZING AND EXTERNALIZING BEHAVIORS IN YOUTH

Objectives: Sensitivity of the behavioral inhibition (BIS) and behavioral approach (BAS) systems contributes to externalizing (EXT) and internalizing (INT) symptoms (Muris et al., 2005). High Expressed Emotion (EE), defined as a pattern of negative family interaction with high levels of criticism and hostility, is also implicated in youth mental illness (Wearden et al., 2000). BIS and BAS sensitivity may make some youth more susceptible to the negative impact of EE; for example, inhibited youth may become anxious or withdrawn when exposed to EE and youth who are approach-oriented may become more aroused when a parent exhibits EE. This study aims to assess the individual and combined impact of BIS, BAS and EE on EXT and INT. We hypothesize that BIS and BAS will be associated with INT and EXT and that EE will moderate these relationships -- those who score high on BIS or BAS will be more impacted by EE, leading to more severe INT and EXT. Methods: Youth (aged 11-18; N=460) were recruited from a community mental health clinic. Youth completed the BIS-BAS scales and reported on EE in their families. INT and EXT symptoms were assessed with the Achenbach Youth Self Report Internalizing Problems scale and parent-reported Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist Externalizing Problems scale. Regression, controlling for age and sex, assessed the impact of BIS, BAS, EE, and interaction terms BIS*EE and BAS*EE, on youth INT and EXT. Results: Youth (mean age 13.52 years; 53.3 percent male) had diverse symptom presentations (mean INT =56.86, mean EXT=69.63). Age predicted EXT (p=.001). INT was associated with BIS (p