Sex-Specific Relationships Between Interoceptive Accuracy and Emotion Regulation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Interoception, the sense of the body's internal physiological state, is increasingly recognized for its role in emotional experience.
• Emerging evidence suggests interoception may also play a crucial role in the regulation of emotions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between interoceptive accuracy and emotion regulation strategies.
• To explore potential sex differences in this relationship, controlling for confounding individual characteristics.

Main Methods:

• A heartbeat detection task was used to assess interoceptive accuracy.
• Self-report questionnaires measured emotion regulation strategies (reappraisal and suppression).
• Analyses differentiated between male and female participants (n=84).

Main Results:

• Significant sex differences were observed in both interoceptive accuracy and emotion regulation.
• In males, interoceptive accuracy was associated with reappraisal, but not suppression.
• In females, interoceptive accuracy showed no significant relationship with either reappraisal or suppression.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between interoception and emotion regulation is complex and sex-specific.
• These findings underscore the importance of considering individual characteristics, particularly sex, in understanding interoception's role in emotional processes.
• Interoception appears vital for both the experience and regulation of emotions.