Building Resilience: Trajectories of Heart Rate Variability During a Mindfulness-Based Intervention and the Role of Individual and Social Characteristics

Studies found pre-post effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on heart rate variability (HRV). However, it is unclear how HRV develops from session to session. Individuals may further differ not only randomly but systematically in their HRV trajectories. Drawing upon conservation of resources theory (COR theory), this study (a) investigated the development of HRV during a 6-week MBI using multilevel growth curve analyses (GCA) in N = 140 employees, (b) identified groups of participants with different trajectories of HRV development using latent profile analyses (LPA), and (c) examined differences between these patterns in individual and social determinants. GCA showed an overall positive linear and quadratic relationship between time and HRV. LPA identified three groups of participants with specific trajectories: (a) a moderate, continuous HRV increase, (b) a strong increase during the intervention and a slight decrease in the end, and (c) high starters with a low increase. ANOVAs revealed that participants with more resources (i.e., self-care and social norms) have a stronger development of HRV in the beginning. The findings suggest that HRV continuously increases during MBI. Trajectories of resource development, however, depend on individual and social characteristics. This study provides a more differentiated perspective on the resource gain spiral as suggested by the COR theory. Knowledge about the differential effects of MBIs helps organizations and practitioners to streamline and adapt MBIs to the needs of specific groups and provide specific support.