The relation of baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia to problematic internet use: Impulsiveness and difficulties in emotion regulation matter

Yunxin Zhao; Hui Zhang; Jingyi Xu

doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.02.001

The relation of baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia to problematic internet use: Impulsiveness and difficulties in emotion regulation matter

Int J Psychophysiol. 2022 Apr:174:76-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.02.001. Epub 2022 Feb 10.

Authors

Yunxin Zhao¹, Hui Zhang², Jingyi Xu³

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, PR China.
² School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, PR China. Electronic address: hzhang9055@126.com.
³ T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University, United States of America.

PMID: 35151695
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.02.001

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the relation of baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (BRSA) to PIU and the mediating role of impulsiveness (IM) and difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) underlying this association using data from a group of Chinese young adults. A total of 109 (M_age = 18.94 years old, SD = 0.92; 69 men) Chinese undergraduate students participated in this study and completed questionnaires on IM, DER and PIU. BRSA was collected during a resting condition at a laboratory setting. Results showed that BRSA was negatively related to PIU, with IM and DER both independently and completely mediating this association. These findings enrich our understanding on the psychophysiological correlates of young adults' problematic internet use.

Keywords: Baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia; Difficulties in emotion regulation; Impulsiveness; Problematic internet use.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Behavior, Addictive*
Emotional Regulation*
Female
Humans
Internet Use
Male
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia* / physiology
Students
Young Adult