Reduced vagal tone in intimate partner violence perpetrators is partly explained by anger rumination

Abstract

Polyvagal theory proposed that an autonomous nervous system imbalance might be characteristic of violent individuals, especially reduced parasympathetic or vagal tone. Accordingly, some studies concluded that when intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators deal with acute stress, they tend to present a sympathetic predominance over the parasympathetic nervous system once the stress has ended. However, less is known about cognitive mechanisms that explain this phenomenon. In fact, this functioning might be explained by inner speech and/or angry thoughts (anger rumination) in reactive aggressors. Nonetheless, there is a gap in the scientific literature assessing whether this psychophysiological functioning in IPV perpetrators is explained by anger rumination. For this reason, the first aim of this study was to assess the cardiorespiratory (heart rate (HR), pre-ejection period (PEP), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)) and electrodermal (skin conductance level (SCL)) changes, as well as the anger state, when coping with an acute laboratory stressor, comparing a group of reactive IPV perpetrators (n = 47) and a group of non-violent men (n = 36). The second aim was two-fold. After checking whether the groups differed on their anger rumination and manifestation of aggression (reactive and/or proactive) scores, we studied whether these variables explained psychophysiological and psychological responses to a laboratory task (changes and levels during the recovery period) in each group. Our results demonstrated that, compared to the control group, IPV perpetrators presented lower RSA levels (vagal tone). Even though the groups did not differ on their anger rumination or manifestation of aggression scores (except for proactive aggression), only in the IPV perpetrators, high anger rumination and reactive aggression partly explained the lower vagal tone (RSA levels) and high levels of anger state at post-task. Consequently, this study contributes to understanding the psychobiological basis for violence proneness in IPV perpetrators, making it possible to explore new therapeutic strategies.

Weakened sympathetic response and lower parasympathetic activity in intimate partner violence perpetrators when empathizing: Influence of autonomous activation in affective approach and prosocial behavior

“…Next, the Vrije Universiteit Ambulatory Monitoring System (VU‐AMS) psychophysiological device (specified later) was placed. Based on previous studies on emotional processing and IPV, a 5‐min baseline period was recorded (Behnke et al, 2022; Romero‐Martínez et al, 2022; Sarrate‐Costa et al, 2022).…”

Increased cardiac vagal tone in childhood-only, adolescent-only, and persistently antisocial teenagers: the mediating role of low heart rate

“…Regarding the second question, it is less clear whether or not increased vagal tone is reliably associated with increased antisocial behavior (Glenn & McCauley, 2019). A number of studies have found that reduced vagal tone is associated with increased antisocial behavior (Pang & Beauchaine, 2013;Sarrate-Costa, Lila, Comes-Fayos, Moya-Albiol, & Romero-Martinez, 2022). Similarly, one review of callous unemotional (CU) traits in children suggested that high CU scores are associated with reduced baseline vagal tone as measured by RSA (respiratory sinus arrythmia), while recognizing that only a handful of studies exist (Wagner & Waller, 2020).…”