Relationship Between Internalizing Symptoms and Resting Heart Rate Variability
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Abstract
The dimensional approach to psychopathology enables the identification of traits and symptoms involved in the onset or maintenance of various mental disorders. Within this framework, new categorizations have emerged, such as the distinction between internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Furthermore, dimensional models provide a closer alignment with biomarkers. A potential transdiagnostic biomarker for psychopathologies is heart rate variability (HRV). Given the evidence of HRV alterations across different mental disorders, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between resting-state HRV levels (using the RMSSD parameter) and internalizing symptoms (anxiety, depression, and stress) as measured by the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale). The total sample consisted of 60 individuals aged 18 to 40 years (M = 28.53; SD = 5.85), with 50.0% (n = 30) reporting a self-diagnosis of mental health disorders. Spearman correlations were performed to assess the association between DASS-21 scores and HRV. In the total sample, the results indicated significant negative correlations between HRV and all DASS-21 subscales. When divided by groups, HRV showed a significant correlation with the mental disorder group in the Total, Depression, and Stress scores of the DASS-21. No significant correlations were found in the control group. These results suggest that the intensity of internalizing symptoms is associated with HRV, supporting a dimensional perspective.
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