Blunted cardiac stress reactors exhibit relatively high levels of behavioural impulsivity

Citation

Bibbey A, Ginty AT, Brindle RC, Phillips AC & Carroll D (2016) Blunted cardiac stress reactors exhibit relatively high levels of behavioural impulsivity. Physiology & Behavior, 159, pp. 40-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.03.011

Abstract
Blunted physiological reactions to acute psychological stress are associated with a range of adverse health and behavioural outcomes. This study examined whether extreme stress reactors differ in their behavioural impulsivity. Individuals showing blunted (N = 23) and exaggerated (N = 23) cardiovascular reactions to stress were selected by screening a healthy student population (N = 276). Behavioural impulsivity was measured via inhibitory control and motor impulsivity tasks. Blunted reactors exhibited greater impulsivity than exaggerated reactors on both stop-signal, F(1,41) = 4.99, p = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.108, and circle drawing, F(1,43) = 4.00, p = 0.05, η p 2 = 0.085, tasks. Individuals showing blunted cardiovascular stress reactions are characterized by greater impulsivity which may contribute to their increased susceptibility to outcomes such as obesity and addiction.

Keywords
Cardiovascular activity; Impulsivity; Psychological stress; Stress reactivity

Journal
Physiology & Behavior: Volume 159

People

Professor Anna Whittaker

Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Sport