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Personality and Social Psychology Review
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Self-Esteem and Autonomic Physiology: Parallels Between Self-Esteem and Cardiac Vagal Tone as Buffers of Threat

Andy Martens

University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, andy.martens{at}canterbury.ac.nz

Jeff Greenberg

University of Arizona, Tucson

John J. B. Allen

University of Arizona, Tucson

In this article a potential physiological connection to self-esteem is suggested: cardiac vagal tone, the degree of influence on the heart by the vagus, a primary nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system. This hypothesis emerges from parallels between the two literatures that suggest both self-esteem and cardiac vagal tone function to provide protection from threat responding. This article reviews these literatures and evidence and preliminary findings that suggest in some contexts self-esteem and cardiac vagal tone may exert an influence on each other. Last, the article discusses theoretical and applied health implications of this potential physiological connection to self-esteem.

Key Words: self-esteem • vagal tone • vagal control • heart rate variability • parasympathetic system

Personality and Social Psychology Review, Vol. 12, No. 4, 370-389 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1088868308323224
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