Gender differences in the impact of daily sadness on 24-h heart rate variability.
Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) is proposed to mediate the relation between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular health problems. Yet, several studies have found that in women depression is associated with higher HRV levels, whereas in men depression is associated with lower HRV levels. So far, these studies have only examined gender differences in HRV levels using a single assessment. This study aimed to test the interactive effects of gender and sadness on ambulatory-assessed HRV levels. A sample of 60 (41 women) employees participated in an ambulatory study. HRV levels (mean of successive differences; MSD) were continuously measured for 24 h. During the daytime, hourly assessments of sadness and other mood states were taken, while depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D). Gender differences were observed when examining the impact of average daily sadness on MSD. In women, but not in men, the total amount of sadness experienced during the day was associated with higher circadian MSD levels. These findings suggest that researchers need to take gender differences into account when examining the relation between sadness, HRV, and cardiovascular problems.
Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Bart
B
Verkuil
Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Jos F
JF
Brosschot
Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Andrea H
AH
Marques
Public Buildings Service, United States General Services Administration, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Kevin
K
Kampschroer
Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Esther M
EM
Sternberg
Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Julian F
JF
Thayer
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics
Depression; Ecological momentary assessment; Gender; Heart rate variability; Sadness