Interoceptive accuracy is related to long‐term stress via self‐regulation

Abstract

Interoception describes the ability to perceive internal bodily signals. Previous research found a relationship between interoceptive accuracy (IAcc) and cardiovascular outcomes during or after acute stress. So far, the association between IAcc and long‐term stress has not been investigated, although this would be important to identify a starting point to prevent long‐term stress. To address this idea in the current study, we examined the relationship between IAcc and long‐term stress, which was assessed with different questionnaires and biological markers, including cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Furthermore, we investigated self‐regulation as a mechanism linking IAcc to long‐term stress. The sample consisted of 98 participants. To measure IAcc, participants completed the heartbeat perception task. Perceived long‐term stress and self‐regulation were assessed via an online questionnaire. Moreover, hair samples were taken from 65 participants to determine long‐term stress with cortisol and DHEA as well as the ratio of both. Results showed that IAcc was positively related to DHEA and weakly negatively related to the other indicators of long‐term stress, except for the nonsignificant relationships to the indicators cortisol and stress experiences due to negative events. Furthermore, these relationships were mediated by participants' enhanced self‐regulation. Thus, our results suggest that enhanced self‐regulation could be a mechanism explaining why IAcc is associated with long‐term stress.

Effects of a Single Yoga Session on Cardiac Interoceptive Accuracy and Emotional Experience

“…Speculating about the neurophysiological level, the anterior insula region, and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex might underlie both interoceptive abilities [ 5 , 91 , 92 ] as well as sensory processing during mindfulness practice [ 93 , 94 ] and, could, therefore, act as an interface region activated via the yoga session. Furthermore, previous studies showed that high IAc was related to better self-regulation [ 26 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ]. At the same time, yoga can enhance self-regulation, exemplarily, via increased meta-awareness and, more generally, integrated top-down and bottom-up mechanisms for self-regulation [ 61 ].…”

The Effects of a 3-Week Heartbeat Perception Training on Interoceptive Abilities

“…These inconsistent findings might result from methodological differences between the studies, such as various instructions. Moreover, associations between interoceptive abilities and stress were found (e.g., Schulz and Vögele, 2015 ; Maeda et al, 2019 ; Schultchen et al, 2019a ; Schulz et al, 2020 ; Opdensteinen et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, decreased interoceptive abilities have been assumed to play a role in the perception of somatic symptoms ( van den Bergh et al, 2017 , 2019 ).…”

Interoception, Stress, and Physical Symptoms in Stress-Associated Diseases

“…There is only one study on the relationship between long-term stress and interoception, reporting a positive relationship of r = .34 between IAcc in an HCT and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations (DHEA) derived from hair, in a student population (Schultchen et al, 2019). DHEA is an HPA axis hormone that may antagonize cortisol effects (Blauer et al, 1991; Jogems-Kosterman et al, 2007).…”

“…DHEA is an HPA axis hormone that may antagonize cortisol effects (Blauer et al, 1991; Jogems-Kosterman et al, 2007). Furthermore, negative correlations (−.28 ≤ r ≤ −.19) between questionnaire scales of chronic stress and IAcc have been reported (Schultchen et al, 2019). This pattern is in line with a single finding in a previous study showing a negative correlation of r = −.35 between the social strain scale of chronic stress and IAcc in the HCT (Schulz, Lass-Hennemann, et al, 2013).…”