The N170 is a face-sensitive component related to early structural encoding and face detection, specifically between members of ingroups and outgroups. The N170 is an event-related potential (ERP) reflecting the neural processing of faces and is measured using an electroencephalogram (EEG). The negative peak in the ERP waveform occurs around 170 milliseconds after the face is shown, known as the stimulus onset, prior research shows that the waveform properties differ when one views faces with which one is more or less familiar (for example faces of different racial groups). This effect may play a role in later memory for faces; for example, the Own-race bias (ORB) someone who better remembers the faces of people of the same race as their own and has difficulty remembering faces of a different race. Although the research behind facial recognition and the EEG are mixed, I examined the N170 to ingroup or outgroup bias in facial perception and recall. Participants were shown images that were half inverted and half upright, with male and female faces of four racial categories (Asian, Black, Latino, or White) from the Chicago Face database (Ma et al., The University of Chicago 2014). While connected to an EEG they completed a four-block task, then a recognition task, followed by an Intergroup Contact Survey. Which measured how often they interacted with those of a different race. Researchers predicted that the N170 results are mediated by contact with other races, with significant N170 reductions for groups that report more interpersonal contact.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, can have long-term effects on mental health and behavior, leading to internalizing (anxiety, depression) and externalizing (aggression, delinquency) behaviors.These experiences can increase the likelihood of substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism. This study explores self-reported externalizing and internalizing behaviors in a pilot study on cannabis use and HIV. Participants included 43 adult males aged 18-24 (27 HIV-positive, 16 HIV-negative) categorized by ACE questionnaire scores (low: 0-2; moderate-high: greater than 2) and cannabis use (low: 0-4 times per month; moderate-high: 5 or more times per month) using the Customary Drinking and Drug Use Record. Behavioral symptoms were measured using the ASEBA Adult Self-Report (ASR) subscales for externalizing (aggressive, intrusive, and rule-breaking) and internalizing (anxiety/depression, withdrawn, somatic complaints) symptoms and DSM-oriented subscales (depression, anxiety, somatic, avoidant, ADHD, and antisocial personality). Results showed significant interaction effects between ACEs and cannabis use on externalizing behaviors, including aggression (p = .021, eta squared = .128) and intrusive syndromes (p = .002, eta squared = .221). Participants with low ACEs and moderate-high cannabis use had higher aggression and intrusive scores compared to those with moderate-high ACEs. Similar significant effects were observed for overall externalizing problems (p = .007, eta squared = .171) and DSM-oriented antisocial behavior (p = .029, eta squared = .116), with higher cannabis use associated with greater problems, compared to low cannabis use, in participants with low ACEs. These findings underscore addressing both past trauma and substance use to effectively intervene in behavioral issues in young men.

Upwards of 6 million children are reported to Child Protective Services each year in the United States for child abuse and neglect. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction are common, with 55% of people reporting at least one ACE. As ACEs increase, so does the likelihood of developing substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and poor physical health. Parents with their own maltreatment are at greater risk for mistreating their children, negative parental self-image, increased parenting challenges, and aggressive behavior toward their children. Most studies have examined parents' mental health symptoms and parenting behaviors quantitatively. There are gaps in the methodology and information concerning the parents' perspective on how they navigate their own experiences and their parenting, particularly from a strength-based perspective. This study aims to fill these gaps using a mixed methods study. The goal is to gain an understanding of the influence parents' traumatic childhood experiences have on their parenting behaviors and family functioning. Qualitative data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with trained professionals. Each interview ranged between 60 to 150 minutes. Five quantitative measures were used to collect information about the participants' PTSD symptomology (Primary Care-PTSD), parenting behaviors/practices (Parenting Assessment of Protective Factors), childhood experiences (Benevolent Childhood Experiences and Adverse Childhood Experiences), as well as family functioning (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale IV). Results provide a greater nuanced understanding of the influence trauma has on parenting to develop a better parenting intervention—final results and publication pending Spring 2025.

The World Health Organization (2013) notes that over the past year, 3.6% of the world's population has experienced PTSD. Persistent exposure to violent behaviors can cause symptoms of PTSD to surge and possibly develop. However, police officers with PTSD symptoms are often underreported due to potential reprisals they may face from both their department and colleagues. This research presentation seeks to correlate PTSD symptoms, levels of empathy, and levels of aggression, to the increasing rates of police brutality. Thus, we hypothesize that the rise of police brutality in the U.S. can be because of the possible presentation of symptoms of PTSD, low levels of empathy, and high levels of aggression. We are seeking an average of 30 police officers from police departments in Central Valley, California. There will be a focus on Turlock, Modesto, and Merced. Once sought out they will receive (via a link) the study and take 3 surveys that measure the previous three factors as well as a demographics questionnaire that looks at the number of traumatic events experienced by the officers, that's an estimated 30 min. They will all receive a 10-dollar gift card to Starbucks. We are hoping to find a possible positive correlation between the levels of empathy, aggression, and symptoms of PTSD, with the rising rates of police brutality to understand how these factors could play a role in police brutality.