Better forbearance, lower depression: Evidence based on heart rate variability.

Area of Science:

• Psychological Science
• Psychophysiology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The link between forbearance and depression remains unclear.
• Forbearance, a psychological resource, may influence emotional responses to stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate heart rate variability (HRV) reactivity to stressors in individuals with varying forbearance levels.
• Determine how forbearance impacts depressive emotions when facing adversity.

Main Methods:

• Assessed forbearance using the Forbearance Scale (FS) and depression severity with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
• Measured HRV reactivity at baseline, during active and passive stressor tasks, and during recovery periods.
• Compared HRV responses between higher and lower forbearance groups.

Main Results:

• Forbearance Scale (FS) scores negatively correlated with depression (PHQ-9) and positively with HRV.
• Significant differences in baseline HRV were found between high and low FS groups.
• Distinct HRV responses to stress and recovery were observed between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Forbearance is associated with lower depression and altered HRV reactivity.
• Differences in HRV suggest potential self-regulation dysfunction in individuals with lower forbearance.
• Higher forbearance may mitigate negative emotions experienced during adversity.