Cardiac defense reactivity and cognitive flexibility in high‐ and low‐resilience women

Abstract

Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even significant sources of stress (American Psychological Association, 2014). Moreover, resilience involves the ability to recover and maintain adaptive behavior after stressful events. Psychophysiological and neuropsychological systems involved in the successful regulation and modification of emotions and cognitions are potential underpinnings of resilience. The parasympathetic nervous system facilitates adaptation to stress by modifying some physiological responses, such as respiration and heart rate (Porges, 2007). Higher resting vagal control is linked to social and psychological well-being (Kok & Fredrickson, 2010) and trait positive emotionality (Oveis et al., 2009). In addition, cognitive flexibility is likely critical in a threatening situation, where ongoing cognitive processes need to be inhibited and resources shifted to processing the current threat.

Psychophysiological correlates of pain resilience in anticipating, experiencing, and recovering from pain

“…For example, Walker et al (2019) found a steeper decrease (compared with a 2 s pre-stimulus baseline) following acoustic startle stimuli among more compared to less resilient cohorts. Otero et al (2020) observed more resilient women displayed lower SCL than did less resilient women from nine to 70 s after exposure to white noise, though no resilience group difference was observed when the first nine seconds following exposure were included in analyses. Similarly, there was no SCL difference between HPR and LPR subgroups in this study immediately following shock, though over the five-minute general recovery period, SCL showed a significant decrease among HPR members compared to other subgroups.…”

An empirical evaluation of The Resilience Shield model

“…One such construct is cognitive flexibility , defined as the ability to adaptively switch cognitive sets to better suit the environment [ 32 ]. Multiple studies have found a significant positive correlation between cognitive flexibility and resilience [ 74 ] showing for example that more resilient individuals can flexibly apply different coping strategies depending on the circumstances, rather than being set in implementing only one strategy [ 93 ]. The construct of mindfulness , defined as the ability to intentionally focus attention on the present moment non-judgementally [ 46 ], has also been shown to be a significant predictor of resilience [ 44 , 48 , 72 ].…”

Emotional Schemas and Psychological Distress: Mediating Role of Resilience and Cognitive Flexibility

“…One of these features is resilience, which plays a significant role in most psychological disorders ( 28 - 30 ) and is defined as individuals’ capacity to adjust efficiently, cope with, or overcome adversity or stress and potential disruptions ( 31 , 32 ). This protective factor makes a person more resilient against adverse events, leading to positive results ( 33 ). Resilience means that a person can effectively adjust to change, resist the negative effects of stressors, and avoid psychological disorders ( 33 , 37 ).…”

“…This protective factor makes a person more resilient against adverse events, leading to positive results ( 33 ). Resilience means that a person can effectively adjust to change, resist the negative effects of stressors, and avoid psychological disorders ( 33 , 37 ). Earlier studies have reported that people with high levels of resilience show low levels of vulnerability and disease risk ( 33 , 37 ).…”

“…Resilience means that a person can effectively adjust to change, resist the negative effects of stressors, and avoid psychological disorders ( 33 , 37 ). Earlier studies have reported that people with high levels of resilience show low levels of vulnerability and disease risk ( 33 , 37 ). However, when people with low resilience face adversity, they are vulnerable to depression, anxiety, stress, and interpersonal problems.…”