Resting heart rate variability predicts self-reported difficulties in emotion regulation: a focus on different facets of emotion regulation

Abstract

The Model of Neurovisceral Integration suggests that vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) represents a psychophysiological index of inhibitory control and thus, is associated with emotion regulation capacity. Over the past decade, growing empirical evidence supports this notion, showing that those with higher resting vmHRV can regulate negative emotions more adequately. However, to our knowledge, no study has previously examined how resting vmHRV may relate to everyday perceived difficulties in emotion regulation. The present study attempts to examine such relationship in 183 undergraduate students (98 female, 60 minority, mean Age = 19.34). Resting vmHRV was collected during a 5-min resting baseline period, and everyday difficulties in emotion regulation were assessed using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Controlling for potential covariates (including both trait anxiety and rumination), results revealed a negative relationship between resting vmHRV and DERS such that lower resting vmHRV was associated with greater difficulties in emotional regulation, especially a lack of emotional clarity and impulse control, as indicated by the respective subscales of the DERS. These findings provide further evidence for the Neurovisceral Integration Model, suggesting that emotion regulation and autonomic regulation share neural networks within the brain. Moreover, the present study extends prior research by highlighting two distinct facets of emotion regulation (impulse control and emotional clarity) that should be of particular interest when investigating the link between emotion regulation, resting vmHRV, and related health outcomes including morbidity and mortality.

Alterations in Amygdala-Prefrontal Functional Connectivity Account for Excessive Worry and Autonomic Dysregulation in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

“…HRV is a positive marker for emotion regulation (26) and is diminished during maladaptive emotion regulation processes, including worry (27,28). We therefore hypothesized that changes in amygdala-PFC caused by the perseverative cognition induction would correlate with reductions in HRV evoked by the same induction.…”

Bidirectional asymmetry in the neurovisceral communication for the cardiovascular control: New insights

“…Th ese authors have suggested that this circuit could serve as a connection (mediated by the ANS) between the emotional and physiological processes and that its level of activity could be monitored by the HRV. Th ey have proposed that the HRV represents a psychophysiologic index regulated by the ANS and associated with the emotional control capability predicting emotional diffi culties (Williams et al 2015).…”

“…Th e prefrontal cortex and subcortical areas such as the amygdala form a reciprocal inhibitory circuit (Shoemaker and Goswami 2015), the function of which is to regulate the behavioral and emotional responses to adapt the body to environmental demands and control the function of the ANS aff ecting the heart and other organs (Williams et al 2015). Th ese authors have suggested that this circuit could serve as a connection (mediated by the ANS) between the emotional and physiological processes and that its level of activity could be monitored by the HRV.…”

Combined Neurofeedback and Heart Rate Variability Training for Individuals with Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: A Retrospective Study

“…As would be expected, individuals with anxiety and difficulty in self-regulation of their emotions have high levels of sympathetic nervous system activity and low HRV (Williams et al, 2015). Recent studies have shown that vagal activation of the parasympathetic nervous system can slow down heart rate and enhance HRV.…”