Figures and data
Relationship between individual behavioral characteristics and ToM behavior.
Note: β is the standard regression coefficient from multiple regression analysis. P_Regress is the P value from multiple regression analysis. R_Pearson is the Pearson correlation coefficient from correlation between the individual behavioral characteristics and ToM behavior. P_Pearson is the P value from correlation between the individual behavioral characteristics and ToM behavior. Bold font indicates the significance level at p < 0.05.
Overview of analysis pipeline.
(A) Reverse correlation analysis was conducted on the average response network time-courses to identify ToM and Social Pain events driving activity in Theory of Mind (ToM) and Social Pain Matrix (SPM) related brain regions. (B) First, inter-region correlations were computed across all ToM and SPM brain regions of interest for each participant. Neural maturity of a child was then assessed by averaging the similarity between the child’s correlation matrices and those of each adult. (C) Inter-subject synchronization (ISS) was determined by calculating the correlation of neural response time series between child-mother and child-stranger dyads. (D) A structural equation model was employed to explore the relationships among neurobehavioral factors of parenting and personal growth, ToM performance, and social cognition outcomes.
Reverse Correlation Analysis.
The average time courses of child (green) and adult (red) groups for the (A) Theory of Mind (ToM) and (B) Social Pain Matrix (SPM) networks during movie viewing are presented. Each time point along the x-axis corresponds to a single TR (2 seconds). Shaded blocks represent time points identified as ToM and Social Pain events in a reverse correlation analysis conducted on adults, while dark borders indicate time points identified as ToM and Social Pain events in children. Event labels (e.g., T01, P01) denote the ranking of average response magnitude in adults. (C) Example frames and descriptions for the five events with the highest response magnitude in adults are provided.
Inter-region correlation analysis and neural maturity.
(A) Average z-scored correlation matrices were computed across all Theory of Mind (ToM) and Social Pain Matrix (SPM) regions of interest for each age group (Pre-junior: n = 12; Junior: n = 11; Senior: n = 11; Adults: n = 34). The nomenclature of brain regions is shown in Table 3. (B) Correlation between the average inter-regional correlation within ToM/SPM networks and age. (C) Correlation between neural maturity and age. (D) Correlation between neural maturity and conflict score of CPRS. (E) Correlation between neural maturity and age during ToM/SP and other events, as defined by reverse correlation analysis. Group differences in neural maturity during ToM/SP and other events are shown on the right. *** p < 0.001. (F) Group differences in neural maturity during ToM/SP and other events for each age group. * p < 0.05.
Demographic information and behavioral data by age group.
Definition of ToM and SPM regions of interest.
Regions identified, center coordinate [x y z] for each region of interest in the Theory of Mind (ToM) and Social Pain Matrix (SPM) networks. RTPJ and LTPJ, right and left temporoparietal junction; PC, precuneus; DMPFC, MMPFC and VMPFC, dorsal, middle and ventral components of medical prefrontal cortex; RS2 and LS2, right and left secondary sensory; Rinsula and Linsula, right and left insula; RMFG and LMFG, right and left middle frontal gyrus; AMCC, anterior middle cingulate cortex.
Inter-subject neural synchronization.
(A) Group differences in inter-subject synchronization (ISS) during movie viewing. (B) Partial correlation between conflict scores of CPRS and ISS within child-mother and child-stranger dyads. (C) Correlation between age and ISS within child-mother and child-stranger dyads. (D-E) Partial correlation between conflict scores on the CPRS and ISS within child-mother and child-stranger dyads during ToM/SP events and other events. Group differences in ISC during ToM/SP and other events are displayed on the right. * p < 0.05.
Structural equation model of latent personal traits, latent parental caregiving, ToM behavior and social development outcomes.
Parenting has a direct and indirect influence on ToM behavior which in turn influences social cognition. Latent factor underlying Personal Trait includes a child’s neural maturity, while the latent factor underlying Parenting includes child-mother inter-subject neural synchronization (ISS). Regression coefficients are displayed for each path. Solid lines indicate significant paths (*p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01), and dashed arrows indicate nonsignificant paths.
Relationship between personal traits, neural measures and parent-child relationship quality for Theory of Mind (ToM) and Social Pain Matrix (SPM) networks analyzed separately.
(A) Correlation between neural maturity within ToM and SPM networks and age. (B) Correlation between parent-child relationship quality and inter-subject synchronization (ISS) within ToM and SPM networks in child-mother dyads. (C-D) Partial correlation between CPRS conflict scores and ISS within ToM/SPM networks in child-mother dyads during ToM/Social Pain and other events, shown in red and black circles respectively.
Structural equation modeling using (A) Theory of Mind (ToM) and (B) Social Pain Matrix (SPM) networks separately.
Solid lines indicate significant paths, and dashed arrows indicate nonsignificant paths. No significant direct effects on social cognition outcomes were observed when analyzing the networks individually, highlighting the importance of considering both networks together for predicting social cognitive outcomes.
ToM and Social Pain Event details. Time (Events in neural responses were then shifted 6s in time to account for the hemodynamic lag), duration (seconds) and description for each ToM and Social Pain event. Event labels (T01, P01) reflect rank order of average response magnitude in adults.
