The Integration of Depressive Behaviors and Cardiac Dysfunction During an Operational Measure of Depression

Abstract

The display of depressive behaviors during an operational measure of depression is coupled with increased heart rate, reduced heart rate variability, and increased arrhythmias, indicative of dysfunctional behavioral and physiological stress coping abilities as a function of social isolation. In contrast, social pairing with a sibling is behaviorally protective and cardioprotective. The present results can provide insight into a possible social mechanism underlying the association between depression and cardiovascular disease in humans.