Association between cardiac autonomic function and coping style in healthy subjects

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychophysiology
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• The relationship between personality traits and cardiac function remains unclear.
• Coping styles may influence autonomic nervous system regulation of the heart.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between coping strategies and cardiac autonomic function in a healthy population.
• To explore potential gender-specific differences in these relationships.

Main Methods:

• 276 healthy volunteers (ages 18-71) completed the Utrecht Coping List and Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory.
• 24-hour Holter monitoring assessed heart rate variability (HRV) parameters.
• Statistical analyses examined correlations between coping styles, anxiety, and HRV, considering age and gender.

Main Results:

• Gender-specific differences were observed in HRV and coping mechanisms.
• In men, active coping correlated with lower global autonomic activity (SDANN).
• Expressing negative emotions/anger in men was linked to higher vagal tone (rMSSD) and LF power, with age-related variations.
• Comforting ideas in middle-aged men correlated with higher LF power.
• No significant correlations were found between coping style and HRV in women.

Conclusions:

• Coping style is associated with cardiac autonomic function in healthy men, but not in women.
• Findings suggest that specific coping mechanisms, particularly in men, influence autonomic regulation of heart rate.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying these gender-specific associations.