The neurovisceral integration model aims to account for the complex interplay between physiological, cognitive, and emotion regulation processes through their support by common cortico–subcortical neural circuits. According to the model, vagally mediated heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a peripheral index of the functioning of these circuits, with higher levels of resting HRV reflecting more optimal functioning, to support goal-directed behaviour and adaptability to environmental demands. Although increased cognitive flexibility has been related to higher resting HRV, this has not been assessed in the context of emotional information to examine the interplay between cognition and emotion. Therefore, we investigated (n = 109) the relationship between resting HRV and performance on a task-switching paradigm in which participants shift attention between affective and nonaffective aspects of emotional material. Resting HRV was not associated with flexibility in processing of positive material, but more efficient shifting of attention (greater flexibility) from affective to nonaffective aspects of negative information was related to lower resting HRV. The avoidance theory of worry and anxiety, as well as empirical evidence, links anxiety to attentional avoidance of negative information. Our findings therefore support the neurovisceral integration model such that when greater flexibility can facilitate attentional avoidance of negative information—as seen in anxiety—it is related to lower resting HRV.

神经内脏整合模型旨在通过共同皮质-皮质下神经回路的支持来解释生理、认知和情绪调节过程之间复杂的相互作用。根据该模型，迷走神经介导的心率变异性 (HRV) 作为这些回路功能的外围指标，较高水平的静息 HRV 反映了更佳的功能，以支持目标导向的行为和对环境需求的适应性。虽然增加的认知灵活性与较高的静息 HRV 相关，但尚未在情绪信息的背景下进行评估，以检查认知和情绪之间的相互作用。因此，我们调查了 ( n= 109) 休息 HRV 与任务转换范式上的表现之间的关系，在该范式中，参与者将注意力转移到情感材料的情感和非情感方面。静息 HRV 与处理正面材料的灵活性无关，但更有效地将注意力从负面信息的情感方面转移到非情感方面（更大的灵活性）与较低的静息 HRV 相关。担心和焦虑的回避理论以及经验证据将焦虑与对负面信息的注意回避联系起来。因此，我们的研究结果支持神经内脏整合模型，当更大的灵活性可以促进对负面信息的注意避免时（如焦虑中所见），它与较低的静息 HRV 相关。