Approach motivation and loneliness: Individual differences and parasympathetic activity. (1st March 2022) - Smith, Karen E.
Abstract: Loneliness, or perceived social isolation, is linked to a number of negative long‐term effects on both mental and physical health. However, how an individual responds to feeling lonely may influence their risk for later negative health outcomes. Here, we sought to clarify what influences variability in individuals' motivated responses to loneliness. Specifically, we assessed whether resting parasympathetic activity, a physiological marker linked to flexible adaptation, facilitates increased approach‐oriented behaviors. Seventy‐four adult participants underwent a conditioning paradigm assessing how they approach and avoid rewards and threats. Individuals with higher levels of loneliness and high resting parasympathetic activity were more likely to demonstrate approach behaviors. We discuss these findings in terms of the role resting parasympathetic activity may play in facilitating adaptive responses to feeling socially isolated. Abstract : How an individual responds to feeling lonely may influence their risk for later negative health outcomes. The current study provides new insight into what may influence variability in responses to feeling lonely. Individuals with higher resting parasympathetic activity and high levels of loneliness demonstrate increased approach‐oriented behaviors. This suggests loneliness increases approach motivations but only in the presence of other markers of adaptive responding, like high resting parasympathetic activity.