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Beyond the brain - Individual differences in heart rate variability are associated with avoidance in test anxiety
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DOI：10.1016/j.lmot.2026.102251.png)
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Abstract
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Avoidance in test anxiety (TA) disrupts a student's ability to regulate their responses, leading to a significant drop in academic performance. TA research has traditionally focused on behavioral and self-reported measures to capture avoidance. Emerging evidence posits the crucial role of individual physiological differences in adaptive behaviors. This study addresses this gap by relating test-taking avoidance to physiological markers. By accounting for predisposition to anxiety indexed by resting-state Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and intraindividual variations (IIV) in physiological responses, the objective of the study is to identify students with higher likeliness of avoidance. Fifty-seven students (M = 22.07 +/- 2.61years) participated in a 30-minute mock test before their university assessment. Declining a 15-minute test extension was measured as avoidance. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations of resting and IIV in HRV with avoidance: resting HRV was negatively correlated (r = -0.359, p < 0.01), while IIV in HRV was positively correlated (r = 0.407, p < 0.01). Mediation analysis further demonstrated that resting HRV was significantly associated with avoidance (c = -0.1590, p < 0.05), and this relationship remained significant after controlling for intra-individual variations in HRV (c ' = -0.1163, p < 0.05). Results demonstrate that higher heart rate variability was associated with lower odds of avoidance, highlighting the relevance of individual differences in physiological responses, beyond the scope of resting HRV. The data suggest an autonomic advantage in individuals who maintain resting HRV values when confronting stressors, thereby facilitating adaptive coping. The study highlights the critical role of individual differences in physiological regulation and supports the integration of HRV through wearable technology and biofeedback for interventions in TA. Findings offer valuable insights for clinical and educational cohorts, particularly for students at risk for TA.
Keywords:
Heart rate variability
Intra-individual variability
Avoidance behavior
Test anxiety
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