Gender Matters: Nonlinear Relationships Between Heart Rate Variability and Depression and Positive Affect
Derek P Spangler1, Emily J Dunn2, Amelia Aldao2
1Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|May 31, 2021
Summary
Vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) shows nonlinear links to depression and positive affect in women, but not men. Moderate vmHRV is linked to lower depression and higher positive affect in women.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
Background:
- Vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) reflects parasympathetic nervous system activity.
- vmHRV is typically negatively correlated with maladaptive emotional outcomes.
- Nonlinear relationships between vmHRV and emotional states are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate quadratic relationships between resting vmHRV and depression and positive affect.
- To examine gender differences in these nonlinear associations.
Main Methods:
- Assessed resting vmHRV in participants.
- Measured depression symptoms and positive affect.
- Analyzed data for gender-specific quadratic effects.
Main Results:
- Significant quadratic effects of vmHRV on depression and positive affect were observed in women.
- No significant quadratic effects were found in men.
- Moderate vmHRV levels were associated with the lowest depression and highest positive affect in women.
Conclusions:
- Gender moderates the nonlinear relationship between vmHRV and emotional outcomes.
- Future research should consider gender when examining vmHRV's role in mental health.
- Differential neuropsychological mechanisms may underlie these gender differences.
Keywords:
autonomic nervous systemdepressionemotiongendergender differencesheart rate variabilitynonlinearpositive affectMore Related Videos
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