Heart rate variability and emotion regulation: Multiethnic differences in reappraisal and suppression

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Sociology

Background:

• Resting heart rate variability (HRV) is an indicator of emotion regulation (ER) capacity.
• Previous research identified ethnic disparities in the association between HRV and ER difficulties.
• The relationship between HRV and ER among African American (AfAm) and Hispanic/Latino Americans (Hispanics) in the U.S. remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if self-reported ethnicity moderates the association between log-transformed high-frequency HRV and ER strategies (suppression and reappraisal).
• To examine these associations in diverse American ethnic groups, including AfAm, Asians, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Whites (NHW).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1,047 emerging adults (ages 19.7 ± 1.7).
• Data collected on resting 10-min HRV, self-reported ethnicity, and ER strategies (suppression, reappraisal).
• Statistical analyses included linear regression, controlling for waist circumference and sex.

Main Results:

• HRV levels were highest in AfAm and Hispanics, and lowest in Asians.
• The association between HRV and reappraisal was stronger in ethnic minorities compared to NHW.
• AfAm and Hispanics exhibited negative HRV-reappraisal associations, while Asians and NHW showed marginal positive associations.
• AfAm and Asians displayed positive HRV-suppression associations, differing from NHW.
• NHW reported lower suppression and showed a unique negative HRV-suppression association.

Conclusions:

• Neurovisceral capacity and sociocultural contexts interact to shape culturally patterned emotion regulation behaviors.
• Findings highlight ethnic variations in the interplay between physiological markers of ER and behavioral ER strategies.
• Future research should explore mediators like geographical location and discrimination to further understand these associations.