Well-powered studies on the physiological concomitants underlying affect and its regulation during emerging adulthood are warranted to provide novel insight into mental health. The association between autonomic nervous system activity and emotional states occurring under natural conditions in daily life was investigated in individuals (N = 549, age 14–21, females 45.6%) without any lifetime mental disorder from an epidemiological cohort study in Germany. Using ecological momentary assessment, mood and optimism/pessimism were assessed over 4 days simultaneously with continuous heart rate monitoring. Lower vagal activity was found in mood states accompanied by high arousal (wakefulness, mania) and greater vagal activity in mood states with low arousal (calmness, pessimism). Findings illustrate important associations between autonomic nervous system activity and mood in youth under ecologically valid conditions. Vagal activity presents a prominent pathway by which mood may influence physiological function or vice versa. In contrast to commonly performed laboratory assessments, the ambulatory assessment in participants' daily life allows an application of the results to the field.

中文翻译：

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在生态有效条件下，没有精神病理学的青少年和年轻人的生理和情绪状态之间存在关联的证据

有必要对成年后潜在影响的生理伴随因素及其调节进行有力的研究，以提供对心理健康的新见解。在个体中调查了日常生活中自然条件下发生的自主神经系统活动与情绪状态之间的关联（N = 549，年龄 14-21，女性 45.6%)，来自德国的一项流行病学队列研究，没有任何终生精神障碍。使用生态瞬时评估，在 4 天内同时评估情绪和乐观/悲观情绪，同时持续监测心率。在伴有高唤醒（清醒、躁狂）的情绪状态下发现迷走神经活动较低，而在低唤醒（平静、悲观）的情绪状态下发现迷走神经活动较大。研究结果说明了在生态有效条件下自主神经系统活动与青年情绪之间的重要关联。迷走神经活动是情绪可能影响生理功能的重要途径，反之亦然。与通常进行的实验室评估相比，参与者日常生活中的动态评估允许将结果应用于现场。