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Autonomic Tone Is Associated with Psychological Personality Profile in Girls and Boys

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Abstract

The relationship between the autonomic tone and psychological personality profile was studied in 55 girls and boys (19 years of age on average) without pathologies of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Psychological personality traits (factors) were evaluated using the Kettell questionnaire (form A). An ECG was recorded using a Holter monitor (Sсhiller MT-100), and heart rate variability (HRV) was characterized at rest and during the rhythmic breathing and cold tests. The parameters mNN, SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50 were calculated from 5-min fragments of ECG recordings. Based on the SDNN level, the subjects were classified into subgroups with conditionally higher and conditionally lower HRV levels of HRV (LV and HV subgroups). LV boys and girls had significantly lower HRV parameters as compared with the HV subgroup: SDNN, 60 vs. 98 ms; RMSSD, 38 vs. 66 ms; and pNN50, 15 vs. 36%, respectively. The LV and HV subjects differently responded to a functional test with forced breathing, which involves activation of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). SDNN, RMSSD and pNN50 increased in the LV girls, while RMSSD and pNN50 remained unchanged in the HV girls. Both LV and HV boys responded by increasing the SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50. A cold test, which stimulates the sympathetic division of the ANS, increased the SDNN in the LV girls, decreased the RMSSD and pNN50 in the HV girls, caused no change in HRV parameters in the LV boys, and increased the RMSSD in the HV boys. Gender differences were observed in responses to the tests within the LV and HV subgroups. Psychological profiles were characterized for the LV and HV subgroups. The percentage of girls who easily perceived new information, were adapted, and were tolerant of contradictions (Q1 + factor) was 75% in the HV subgroup and significantly lower, 33%, in the LV subgroup. The correlations observed between the autonomic tone and the psychophysiological personality traits can be useful for selecting effective methods for physiological and psychological correction in stress.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    M. P. Morozova, A. M. Evseev, E. N. Banzelyuk & S. A. Gavrilova

  2. Eating Disorder Research Center, 125367, Moscow, Russia

    A. V. Prokhorova

  3. Tutoring Center “Maximum”, 440023, Penza, Russia

    O. G. Mironova

Authors
  1. M. P. Morozova
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  2. A. M. Evseev
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  3. A. V. Prokhorova
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  4. O. G. Mironova
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  5. E. N. Banzelyuk
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  6. S. A. Gavrilova
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Correspondence to M. P. Morozova.

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Statement of compliance with standards of research involving humans as subjects. All procedures were performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments and were approved by the local Ethics Committee at the Faculty of Basic Medicine, Moscow State University (Moscow). All individual participants involved in the study voluntarily provided their written informed consent after being informed about the potential risks and benefits and the nature of the study.

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Translated by T. Tkacheva

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Morozova, M.P., Evseev, A.M., Prokhorova, A.V. et al. Autonomic Tone Is Associated with Psychological Personality Profile in Girls and Boys. Hum Physiol 46, 473–482 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119720050102

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119720050102

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