Autonomic reactivity and vulnerability to depression: A multi-wave study.

The ability of the autonomic nervous system to flexibly adapt to environmental changes is thought to indicate efficient use of self-regulatory resources. Deficits in autonomic reactivity appear to characterize current depression; however, whether autonomic reactivity confers vulnerability to future depression when individuals encounter environmental stressors is unknown. Fluctuations in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart rate (HR) were...