EEG signatures of resilience across individuals with high and low anxiety

Background - Over the past decade, psychological resilience has become a key focus in psychological science. However, most research relies on self-report and psychosocial assessments to explore resilience across different populations and contexts.

Methods - This two-phased study examined resilience using self-reported measures and EEG recordings. Phase 1 involved a cross-sectional analysis of resilience and anxiety in young adults using correlation and regression analysis. Phase 2 utilized a grouped experimental design with EEG resting-state recordings to compare high- and low-resilience individuals. EEG data were collected using a 64-channel Geodesic Sensor Net, NetAmps 400 Amplifiers, and NetStation Acquisition 5.0 Software. Spectral analysis was performed for group comparisons.

Results - Significant EEG differences emerged between high- and low-resilience groups in the anterior midline, right frontal, right central, left parietal, and right parietal regions. Alpha band differences were predominantly frontal and right-sided, while beta band differences were posterior and left-sided.

Conclusions - Results of the two phased study bridge the gap between psychosocial measures and electrophysiological measures in the study of resilience and anxiety. A conceptual model based on the findings is outlined to guide future research to investigate the mechanism between resilience and clinical presentations of anxiety and/or depression at the psychosocial and electrophysiological level.