Early life adversity blunts the subjective and physiological relaxation response in healthy adults

Early life adversity blunts the subjective and physiological relaxation response in healthy adults

Abstract While Early Live Adversity (ELA) is a known risk factor for mental and physical diseases, the investigation into the mechanisms behind this connection is ongoing. In the present study, we investigated whether ELA blunts the relaxation response in healthy adults. Using a within-subjects desi...

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Main Authors: Raphaela J. Gaertner, Manuel Burkart, Louisa Richter, Pius Schnell, Matthias Finkhäuser, Elea S. C. Klink, Bernadette F. Denk, Maria Meier, Ulrike U. Bentele, Stella Wienhold, Katharina E. Kossmann, Jens C. Pruessner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Early life adversity
Relaxation
Paced breathing
Virtual nature
Heart rate variability
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78340-3
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Summary:Abstract While Early Live Adversity (ELA) is a known risk factor for mental and physical diseases, the investigation into the mechanisms behind this connection is ongoing. In the present study, we investigated whether ELA blunts the relaxation response in healthy adults. Using a within-subjects design, we employed a paced breathing exercise (four seconds inhale, six seconds exhale) and a 360° nature video as relaxation interventions while measuring physiological relaxation using heart rate variability and subjective relaxation using the Relaxation State Questionnaire. A total of 103 participants (63.11% female; agemean = 22.73 ± 3.43 years) completed the Parental Bonding Instrument and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to assess ELA retrospectively. For subjective relaxation, a blunted relaxation reaction was associated with lower scores of paternal care and higher scores of paternal overprotection, physical abuse, physical neglect, and emotional abuse. For heart rate variability emotional abuse in interaction with nicotine consumption was related to a blunted relaxation response. This indicates that experiencing ELA negatively affects the relaxation capability in a healthy sample and emphasizes the importance of assessing relaxation at a physiological and subjective level.
ISSN:2045-2322

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