Motivational systems and autonomic functioning: Overlapping and differential contributions to anhedonic depression and anxious arousal

Abstract

This study examined multiple aspects of temperament in order to better understand the distinction and overlap between anxious and depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood. Temperament was measured at the motivational level via self-reported behavioral inhibition (BI) and behavioral activation (BA) and at the physiological level via autonomic functioning [i.e., skin conductance levels (SCL) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)]. Emerging adults (N = 170) reported on their BI and BA; SCL and RSA baseline scores were averaged during a 6-min resting period. Results revealed that high RSA was associated with fewer anhedonic depressive symptoms independent of BI and BA, whereas SCL contributed to anhedonic depressive symptoms through a three-way interaction with BI and BA. Specifically, high SCL exacerbated anhedonic depressive symptoms for individuals exhibiting profiles of high BI/low BA and low BI/high BA. This study highlights the importance of examining the unique interactions between psychophysiological and selfreport measures of temperament when studying the development of internalizing symptoms in emerging adulthood.

The moderating influence of heart rate variability on stressor-elicited change in pupillary and attentional indices of emotional processing: An eye-Tracking study

“…In a longitudinal study in adolescents, Vazquez and colleagues (2016) found a significant, prospective association between resting HRV and anhedonia, but not negative mood or interpersonal problem symptoms of depression assessed one year later. Further, Sanders and Abaied (2015) found a significant relationship between low HRV and greater anhedonic depression, but not anxious arousal symptoms. Interestingly, in two recent studies high HRV demonstrated specific associations with manic symptoms, suggesting that HRV may generally index disturbances in positive valence and reward processing neural systems (Faurholt-Jepsen, Brage, Kessing, & Munkholm, 2017; Gruber, Mennin, Fields, Purcell, & Murray, 2015).…”

“…More pertinently, two recent studies suggest that low HRV might be specific to anhedonia compared to other symptoms of depression and anxious arousal (Sanders & Abaied, 2015; Vazquez et al, 2016). Thus, given data that suggests pupil dilation in response to reward cues reflects reward processing (Graham et al, 2011; Kennerley & Wallis, 2009; O’Doherty, Buchanan, Seymour, & Dolan, 2006; O’Doherty, Dayan, Friston, Critchley, & Dolan, 2003; Sepeta et al, 2012; Steinhauer & Hakerem, 1992), decreased pupil dilation while viewing positive emotional stimuli might be associated with low HRV.…”