HRV is a reliable index of good and bad emotion regulation

Abstract

Emotion regulation depends critically on an individual’s ability to adjust physiological arousal on a momentary basis. The ease with which an individual can transition between high and low arousal states is dependent on the ability of the ANS to rapidly vary heart rate (heart rate variability). Literature concerning the relation between emotion regulation and HRV shows that both at the tonic as at the phasic level individuals with higher levels of HRV appear more able to produce context appropriate responses. In this study we assessed the differences in emotion regulation subjective self-efficacy between participants with high and low resting HRV. Results are in accordance to literature, indicating a better emotion regulation by high HRV subjects and healthier psychological state, in terms of anxiety, depression, affect and stress. This study provides a reliable index of good and bad emotion regulation and contributes to a better understanding of how emotion regulation is involved in psychological health.