HRV patterns associated with different affect regulation systems: Sex differences in adolescents

Sousa, Rúben; Petrocchi, Nicola; Gilbert, Paul; Rijo, Daniel

doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.10.009

Cited by 9 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Based on these criteria ( 78 ), 86 emotionally neutral pictures were selected for the resting and recovery phases (for each phase, 60 randomly selected images were presented) of the standardized procedure used in this research (see Section “Procedures”). The average valence and arousal of the selected visual stimuli were 5.07 and 3.95, respectively, agreeing with the assessment criteria for emotionally neutral pictures ( 14 , 15 , 78 ).…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 77%

“…For the physiological assessment, a standardized procedure (SP), validated for the Portuguese adolescent population [for a detailed description, see ( 14 )], was presented to all eligible participants. The SP was based on the triple R paradigm ( 82 ) and thus composed of a resting, reactivity, and recovery phase for the triggering of the soothing system.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity (PNS) is associated with increased vagally mediated heart rate variability [vmHRV; ( 14 , 15 , 46 – 49 )]. The vagus nerve acts as a “brake” in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When the soothing system is active, PNS activity in the cardiac output is expected and should be reflected by increases in vmHRV ( 14 ). However, the lack of a safe developmental environment, with less secure attachment experiences, has been shown to be associated with the suppression of compassionate caregiving behavior ( 54 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, the present research aimed to test if the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program ( 9 ) could improve emotion regulation in young offenders following a clinical trial design in Portuguese Juvenile Detention Facilities. Relevant physiological (vagally mediated HRV) and self-reported data (i.e., difficulties in emotion regulation) were collected from both treatment and control groups (in the pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up periods), when the soothing system was triggered through a validated standardized procedure ( 14 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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At the heart of change: Differences in young offenders’ HRV patterns after the delivery of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program

et al. 2023

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IntroductionLiterature has pointed the need for intervention programs specifically tailored to target the treatment needs of young offenders, as well as the need to test the efficacy of such programs through physiological indexes of emotion regulation (e.g., heart rate variability; HRV), complementing self-reports typically used as outcome measures. The PSYCHOPATHY.COMP is a 20-session individual intervention program based on Compassion Focused Therapy aiming to reduce psychopathic traits and disruptive behavior among young offenders through the development of a compassionate motivation, while stimulating the soothing system as a strategy to improve emotion regulation. Previous research with young offenders has shown decreases in vagally mediated HRV (vmHRV) when the soothing system is activated. This physiological pattern seems to mirror threat-like responses that contrast with relaxed states.MethodsTo test the efficacy of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP, a clinical trial was implemented encompassing a treatment (n = 56) and a control group (n = 53). Treatment participants attended the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP, while controls received the Treatment As Usual (TAU) delivered in Portuguese juvenile detention facilities. HRV data was collected throughout a standardized procedure (encompassing resting, reactivity and recovery phases) specifically designed to trigger the soothing system. Participants were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-months follow-up.ResultsAlthough treatment participants continued to process the soothing system as unpleasant (with decreased vmHRV), they seem to become able to adaptively recover from the stimuli without avoiding it or resorting to maladaptive coping strategies. The physiological pattern was in line with participants’ decreases in difficulties in emotion regulation across the assessment periods. In contrast, controls seemed to have actively employed coping strategies associated with increases in vmHRV not only when the soothing system was triggered, but also when recovering from the stimuli. Congruently, for controls, increases in difficulties in emotion regulation were found, with increases in the lack of emotional clarity across the assessment periods.DiscussionFindings offer new evidence for the efficacy of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program in improving emotion regulation in young offenders, assessed through both self-report and physiological measures. Additionally, findings support the assessment of the autonomic balance as a treatment efficacy index in future research, targeting the rehabilitation of these youth.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03971682.

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Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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At the heart of change: Differences in young offenders’ HRV patterns after the delivery of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program

et al. 2023

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The effect of background audio and audiovisual stimuli on students' autonomic responses during and after an experimental academic examination

2023

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BackgroundDue to the Covid‐19 pandemic lockdown during the online‐distant education period, certain students tended to combine their courses and homework with TV or social media news or other media content, such as classical music, including a wealth of audio and audiovisual stimuli. As the audio and audiovisual stimuli existing in a learning environment may affect students' autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses negatively, the present study aimed to monitor the impact of background TV, classical music, and silence on students' ANS activity represented by heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), blood volume amplitude (BVA), and skin conductance level (SCL) during and after an experimental academic examination.MethodSeventy‐six students were randomly allocated to background TV, classical music, or silence groups. The experiment with repeated measures design consisted of four consecutive periods: baseline, anticipation, challenge, and recovery, lasting 4 min each.ResultsWithin‐subject analyses indicated significant HRV decrement only in the background TV group. Regardless of the experimental groups, HR and SCL increased while BVA decreased during the task. In addition, the between‐subject analysis showed that the background TV group experienced significantly larger changes in HR and HRV parameters compared to the other experimental groups relative to their respective baseline measurements.ConclusionsBased on these results, we concluded that relative to classical music and silence, background TV, including audiovisual and verbal stimuli, extant in a learning environment might raise students' sympathetic activity. Further, classical music, without lyrics, may suppress the withdrawal of vagal activity and elevate the autonomic regulation capacity during the academic reading comprehension task. HRV is a more valid and reliable indicator of students' autonomic responses during a challenging academic task.

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The Effects of the Compassionate Mind Training for Caregivers on Professional Quality of Life and Mental Health: Outcomes from a Cluster Randomized Trial in Residential Youth Care Settings

Santos

Pinheiro

Rijo

2023

Child Youth Care Forum

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Background Psychological distress is highly noticeable among caregivers working in residential youth care (RYC). Maintaining and enhancing caregivers’ professional mental health and quality of life is crucial to achieve effective outcomes in RYC. Nevertheless, trainings to protect caregivers’ mental health are scarce. Considering the buffering effect over negative psychological outcomes, compassion training could be beneficial in RYC. Objective This study is part of a Cluster Randomized Trial examining the effects of the Compassionate Mind Training for Caregivers (CMT-Care Homes), looking at professional quality of life and mental health of caregivers working in RYC. Method The sample was composed of 127 professional caregivers from 12 Portuguese residential care homes (RCH). RCHs were randomly allocated at experimental (N = 6) and control group (N = 6). Participants were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3 and 6-month follow-ups, answering to the Professional Quality of Life Scale and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Program effects were tested using a two-factor mixed MANCOVA, with self-critical attitude and education degree as covariates. Results MANCOVA showed a significant Time × Group interaction effects (F = 1.890, p = .014; $${\eta }_{p}^{2}$$ η p 2 = .050), with CMT-Care Homes participants presenting lower scores on burnout, anxiety, and depression at 3 and 6-months follow-ups, when compared with controls. Participants that received CMT-Care Homes considered the program useful to deal with pandemic threats and with youth during lockdowns. Conclusion This study shows the benefits of the CMT-Care Homes in helping professional caregivers reducing burnout, anxiety and depression, and dealing with pandemic challenges in RYC. Trial registration: This cluster randomized trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (TRN: NCT04512092) on 6th August 2020.

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HRV patterns associated with different affect regulation systems: Sex differences in adolescents

Cited by 9 publications

References 43 publications

At the heart of change: Differences in young offenders’ HRV patterns after the delivery of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program

At the heart of change: Differences in young offenders’ HRV patterns after the delivery of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program

The effect of background audio and audiovisual stimuli on students' autonomic responses during and after an experimental academic examination

The Effects of the Compassionate Mind Training for Caregivers on Professional Quality of Life and Mental Health: Outcomes from a Cluster Randomized Trial in Residential Youth Care Settings

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