Approach motivation and loneliness: Individual differences and parasympathetic activity

Abstract

Loneliness, or perceived social isolation, is linked to a number of negative longterm effects on both mental and physical health. However, how an individual responds to feeling lonely may influence their risk for later negative health outcomes. Here, we sought to clarify what influences variability in individuals' motivated responses to loneliness. Specifically, we assessed whether resting parasympathetic activity, a physiological marker linked to flexible adaptation, facilitates increased approach-oriented behaviors. Seventy-four adult participants underwent a conditioning paradigm assessing how they approach and avoid rewards and threats. Individuals with higher levels of loneliness and high resting parasympathetic activity were more likely to demonstrate approach behaviors.We discuss these findings in terms of the role resting parasympathetic activity may play in facilitating adaptive responses to feeling socially isolated.

Children’s value-based decision making

“…It was also possible that the observed pattern of behaviors across the two tasks was due to children’s relative cognitive immaturity. To assess whether our findings replicate in an adult sample, we conducted a follow-up study with young adults (n = 74) using the same experimental paradigm (see also 36 ). We found comparable effects (Fig.…”

Loneliness trajectories over three decades are associated with conspiracist worldviews in midlife

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From Social Stress and Isolation to Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation in Suicidal Behavior

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