The social brain and heart rate variability: Implications for psychotherapy
Petrocchi, Nicola
Cheli, Simone
Cheli, Simone
Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract
Purpose
Humans evolved within the mammalian line as a highly social species. Indeed, sociality has been a major driver of human social intelligence. From birth, social relationships have emotional and self‐regulating properties and operate through different body systems. This paper will explore how heart rate variability (HRV), an index of the vagal regulation of the heart and a central element of the physiological underpinnings of sociality, is related to mental health problems, with important implications for psychotherapy.
Methods
We conducted a narrative review of the literature on the bi‐directional links between prosocial motivations, HRV, and psychophysiological functioning.
Results
HRV is associated not only with the ability to downregulate physiological arousal, but also with a variety of psychological and behavioural variables which are usually the target of psychotherapeutic interventions. A modern neurovisceral integration model can be employed to explain the complex intercorrelation between HRV and psychophysiological functioning. In particular, the link between HRV, the experience of inter‐ and intrapersonal safeness, and the inhibitory function of the prefrontal cortex will be explored in the context of prosocial motives, such as compassion, that alleviate and help prevent mental health difficulties.
Conclusions
Our knowledge of the social brain and its physiological underpinnings might influence important elements of a therapeutic intervention, from the initial assessment of patient's difficulties to the evaluation of therapy outcomes.
Description
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Compassion, Compassion focused therapy, Heart rate variability, Neurovisceral integration model, Safeness
Citation
Petrocchi, Nicola, and Simone Cheli. “The Social Brain and Heart Rate Variability: Implications for Psychotherapy.” Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 92 (2): 208–23. 2019.