Abstract

The study examined the relationship between neuroticism and individual psychological and physiological health, particularly by analyzing how neuroticism affected stress reactivity and recovery, serving as a potential mechanism linking neuroticism to negative health outcomes. In an observational study involving 30 healthy males (mean age = 21.43, SD = 1.10 years), we employed a standardized mental arithmetic task to induce acute psychological stress. All participants completed the Big Five Personality Neuroticism Scale, a Self-Report Stress Level Scale, and measurements of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). The results showed that individuals characterized by high neuroticism were significantly associated with increased stress reactivity and recovery, as evidenced by elevated low-frequency (LF) components of HRV, an increased low-frequency to high-frequency ratio (LF/HF), and greater changes in heart rate. In contrast, a negative correlation was observed with the high-frequency (HF) component of HRV in terms of stress reactivity and recovery. Nonetheless, the study did not identify a significant relationship between neuroticism and the subjective experience of emotional stress. In summary, neuroticism influences the pattern of stress response in individuals, leading to heightened physiological stress reactivity and diminished physiological stress recovery. These findings suggest that individuals with elevated neuroticism may exhibit non-adaptive physiological responses to acute psychological stress, which could further contribute to negative health outcomes.

中文翻译：

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神经质与急性心理应激反应的关系：来自自主神经系统的证据

摘要

该研究探讨了神经质与个人心理和生理健康之间的关系，特别是通过分析神经质如何影响压力反应和恢复，作为将神经质与负面健康结果联系起来的潜在机制。在一项涉及 30 名健康男性（平均年龄 = 21.43，SD = 1.10 岁）的观察性研究中，我们采用标准化心算任务来诱发急性心理压力。所有参与者都完成了大五人格神经质量表、自我报告压力水平量表以及心率 (HR) 和心率变异性 (HRV) 测量。结果表明，以高度神经质为特征的个体与应激反应性和恢复的增加显着相关，HRV 低频 (LF) 成分升高、低频与高频比率 (LF/HF) 增加以及心率的较大变化。相比之下，在应激反应性和恢复方面，HRV 的高频 (HF) 成分呈负相关。尽管如此，该研究并未发现神经质与情绪压力的主观体验之间存在显着关系。总之，神经质影响个体的应激反应模式，导致生理应激反应性增强和生理应激恢复减弱。这些发现表明，神经质程度较高的个体可能会对急性心理压力表现出非适应性的生理反应，这可能进一步导致负面的健康结果。