Psycho-Cardiac Distress Symptoms of Dyadic Communication Apprehension & The Role of Self-Esteem

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which dyadic communication apprehension (CA) manifested in heart-rate (HR) and heart-rate variability (HRV) during dyadic interaction and explored the inhibiting role of self-esteem for dyadic-communication distress through two explanatory frameworks: A moderation and an indirect effect. Participants completed self-report measures for dyadic CA and self-esteem. Their cardiac activity was then monitored during noncommunicative and impromptu dyadic communication periods. During interaction, higher dyadic CA manifested strongly in higher HR and lower HRV independently of their mutual influence, suggesting dyadic CA induces psycho-cardiac distress via sympathetic and parasympathetic influences. Regarding self-esteem, there was tentative evidence of a moderating effect for the impact of dyadic CA on HR, but not on HRV. Tests of indirect effects showed significant evidence of its inhibitory influence on both distress symptoms via dyadic CA. Findings are interpreted in the context of arousal and emotion regulation when navigating one-on-one conversations.

Keywords

dyadic communication apprehension heart-rate variability arousal emotion regulation self-esteem

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