Heart rate variability in response to the recall of attachment memories

Internal Working Models (IWM) of the attachment system are the devices by which individuals modulate emotional responses and the Disorganized attachment pattern is characterized by the breakdown of such emotion regulation. Vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) is an index of regulated and flexible emotional responding. The current study aims at investigating vmHRV in non-clinical adults (n = 59; 29 males) with an Organized or Disorganized attachment pattern before, increase in vmHRV during the AAI which also persisted during the recovery phase. Results suggest that while Organized face the recollection of attachment memories by showing the adaptive stress response characterized by parasympathetic withdrawal and immediate recovery, individuals with Disorganized attachment need to keep regulating their emotions effortfully both during and after the recall of potential traumatic events.