BIS/BAS scores are correlated with frontal EEG asymmetry in intrusive and withdrawn depressed mothers

Differences between different style‐depressed mothers, intrusive and withdrawn, were examined by the use of the Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Scales (BIS/BAS) and EEG activity from the mid‐frontal and parietal regions. Analyses revealed that withdrawn mothers had left frontal EEG hypoactivation, higher Behavior Inhibition (BIS), and lower Behavior Activation (BAS) scores than the intrusive mothers. Further analysis revealed that the BIS, the BAS reward and the BAS‐BIS difference scores were related to frontal EEG asymmetry and power scores. BIS scores were also related to the mothers' withdrawn interaction style, supporting the use of the BIS/BAS as a screening instrument to help identify intrusive and withdrawn depressed mothers. ©2001 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.