OBJECTIVE High co-occurrence of externalizing and internalizing problems could underlie inconsistent findings regarding the relation between heart rate (HR) and psychopathology. In this study, HR measures were examined in relation to a general dysregulation profile studied from variable- and person-centered approaches. METHOD The sample (N = 182) consisted of 8- to 12-year-old children referred for externalizing behaviors and typically developing children (mean age 9.70, SD 1.26; 75.8% boys). Resting HR (HRrest) was assessed during a 3-minute resting period. HR reactivity (HRreactivity) was assessed during an emotionally evoking go/no-go task. RESULTS From a variable-centered approach, a bifactor model was fitted with a general factor of dysregulation underlying symptoms of anxiety/depression, aggression, and attention problems. HRrest was positively associated with dysregulation and specific aggression. From a person-centered approach, a latent profile analysis was used to identify different psychopathology classes: normative (n = 92), predominantly aggressive (n = 69), and dysregulated (n = 14). The latter was characterized by co-occurring increased levels of anxiety/depression, aggression, and attention problems. HRrest was increased in the predominantly aggressive class and HRreactivity was increased in the dysregulated class. CONCLUSION High HRrest, or (trait-like) over-arousal, seems to be associated with dysregulation rather than uniquely associated with low externalizing or high internalizing symptomatology. In addition, HRrest predicted greater aggression and HRrest was increased in the predominantly aggressive class. High HRreactivity, or enhanced emotional reactivity, might be characteristic for a clinically relevant dysregulated subgroup. Assessment of HR could provide additional knowledge on individual differences that can help refine diagnostics and intervention efforts.

中文翻译：

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失调的潜在心理生理学：与童年失调有关的静息心率和心率反应性。

目的关于内在化和内在化问题的高同时发生率可能是关于心率（HR）与心理病理学之间关系不一致的发现的基础。在这项研究中，从以变量为中心和以人为中心的方法研究了与一般失调状况相关的HR措施。方法样本（N = 182）由8至12岁因外在行为而引荐的儿童和典型的发育中儿童（平均年龄9.70，SD 1.26； 75.8％的男孩）组成。在3分钟的静息期间评估静息HR（HRrest）。在情绪激动的执行/不执行任务期间评估了HR反应性（HRreactive）。结果从变量中心的方法来看，双因素模型拟合了焦虑/抑郁，攻击性和注意问题的潜在失调的一般因素。HRrest与机能失调和特定侵略性呈正相关。通过以人为中心的方法，潜在的个人资料分析可用于识别不同的心理病理学类别：规范性（n = 92），主要侵略性（n = 69）和失调（n = 14）。后者的特点是同时出现焦虑/抑郁，攻击和注意问题。在激进组中HRrest增加，而在失调组中HR反应性增加。结论高HRrest或（过度性欲）似乎与机能失调有关，而不是与低外部化或高内部化症状有关。此外，HRrest预示着更大的侵略性，而HRrest在积极进取的人群中有所增加。高HR反应性，或情绪反应性增强，可能是临床相关失调的亚组的特征。人力资源评估可以提供有关个体差异的更多知识，从而有助于改进诊断和干预工作。