PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EMOTIONAL STATES AND RESPIRATORY DYNAMICS IN DRIVERS UNDER COGNITIVE LOAD

This study investigates the relationship between emotional states and respiratory dynamics in drivers operating under varying levels of cognitive load. The research integrates psychophysiological measurements with emotional self-reports to examine how affective processes influence respiratory patterns during driving tasks. A total of 1,000 professional drivers participated in simulated and real-world driving, with 859 valid datasets retained after quality control procedures. Respiratory parameters, including respiratory rate, tidal volume, inspiratory duration, and inspiratory flow, were recorded using wearable sensors. Emotional states were assessed using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) scale and a structured emotional questionnaire measuring stress, negative emotions, fatigue, and related indicators. The results revealed stable associations between emotional states and respiratory dynamics. Negative emotional states were associated with reduced inspiration time and decreased respiratory variability, indicating more constrained breathing patterns. In contrast, strong emotional activation was associated with increased tidal volume and inspiratory flow, reflecting greater respiratory amplitude. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong physiological relationship between tidal volume and inspiratory flow (r≈0.90). Overall, the findings suggest that respiratory parameters represent sensitive psychophysiological markers of emotional regulation during driving tasks under cognitive load and may contribute to the development of driver monitoring systems aimed at detecting stress and cognitive overload.