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Resting HRV as a trait marker of rumination in healthy individuals? A large cross-sectional analysis
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  • Zefeng Li,
  • Matias Pulopulos,
  • Jens Allaert,
  • Stefanie De Smet,
  • Linde De wandel,
  • Mitchel Kappen,
  • Louise Puttevils,
  • Lais Razza,
  • Emmanuelle Schoonjans,
  • Gert Vanhollebeke,
  • Chris Baeken,
  • Rudi De Raedt,
  • Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt
Zefeng Li
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Corresponding Author:sdzefeng1016@126.com

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Matias Pulopulos
Ghent University Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
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Jens Allaert
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Stefanie De Smet
UZ Gent
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Linde De wandel
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Mitchel Kappen
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Louise Puttevils
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Lais Razza
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Emmanuelle Schoonjans
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Gert Vanhollebeke
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Chris Baeken
Ghent University
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Rudi De Raedt
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Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt
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Abstract

The tendency to ruminate (i.e., repetitive, self-referential, negative thoughts) is a maladaptive form of emotional regulation and represents a transdiagnostic vulnerability factor for stress-related psychopathology. Vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV), reflecting parasympathetic nervous system activity, is commonly used as a physiological marker of stress regulation. Past research has suggested a link between trait rumination and resting HRV at baseline; however, inconsistent results exist in healthy individuals. In this study, we investigated the association between the tendency to ruminate and resting HRV measured at baseline in a healthy population using a large cross-sectional dataset (N = 1189, 88% women; mean age = 21.55, ranging from 17 to 48 years old), which was obtained by combining samples of healthy individuals from different studies from our laboratory. The results showed no cross-sectional correlation between resting baseline HRV and trait rumination (confirmed by Bayesian analyses), even after controlling for important confounders such as gender, age, and depressive symptoms. Also, a nonlinear relationship was rejected. In summary, based on our results in a large sample of healthy individuals, baseline resting HRV is not a trait marker of the tendency to ruminate.
20 Dec 2022Submitted to Psychophysiology
20 Dec 2022Submission Checks Completed
20 Dec 2022Assigned to Editor
20 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
24 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 May 20231st Revision Received
30 May 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Jul 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
29 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Aug 20232nd Revision Received
06 Sep 2023Editorial Decision: Accept