The effect of stress and heart rate variability on schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorder symptoms

Mertins, Isabel (2024) The effect of stress and heart rate variability on schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorder symptoms. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Background: The development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and bipolar disorders (BD) has been associated with heightened levels of stress (Streit et al., 2016; Ortega et al., 2019) and a reduction in heart rate variability (HRV) (Quintana et al., 2015). However, the relationship between HRV and subjective stress measures in these patients remains underexplored and studies relating HRV to symptom severity are lacking. We aim to investigate these associations and predict symptom severity from stress and HRV. Methods: Resting RMSSD and HF were measured in 56 patients (NSSD = 37; NBD = 19) from two samples (NNGNG = 38; NHAMLETT = 18). Self-reported stress and resilience were assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Symptom severity was measured with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale extended (BPRS) in NGNG participants and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in HAMLETT participants; results were split by sample. Results: No significant association was found between HRV and stress measures. The PSS significantly predicted BPRS and PANSS total scores, BPRS affect symptoms, PANSS positive and general symptoms. There were opposing but non-significant trends of RMSSD and HF on negative symptoms in the NGNG and HAMLETT studies. Discussion: In our sample, perceived stress but not HRV predicted several symptom domains. HRV and subjective stress measures may not be related in BD and SSD, but larger samples and longitudinal designs are required to investigate this association as well as the relationship between HRV and symptom severity. Keywords: perceived stress, stress resilience, heart rate variability, HRV, symptom severity, symptom cluster, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, vagal tone, vagal activity

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Jonge, P. de
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	28 Jun 2024 08:50
Last Modified:	28 Jun 2024 08:50
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3495

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