Heart rate variability is associated with the level of poverty in adolescents in Nigeria

Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) at rest has been associated with negative emotions not only in adults but also in adolescents. Given that poverty can be a significant source of stress and negative emotional states, family socioeconomic backgrounds may be associated with adolescents' HRV, negative mood, as well as perceived stress. However, the currently available evidence heavily relies on findings based on the so-called “Minority World,” including western and developed countries. To address the significance of HRV and socioeconomic status in adolescents in the Majority world, in the present study, we assessed resting-state HRV, socioeconomic status, and depression in adolescents from Nigeria. We also assessed their mood and perceived stress for four consecutive days. The results indicated that socioeconomic backgrounds were not significantly associated with self-report measures on mood, perceived stress, and depression. However, we found that lower levels of socioeconomic background are associated with lower levels of resting-state HRV. These results suggest that HRV is sensitive to poverty-related stress in previously under-investigated samples—adolescents in Nigeria. • Examined negative emotion and heart rate variability (HRV) in adolescents in Nigeria • Adolescents with different levels of socioeconomic status were included. • Lower socioeconomic status was associated with lower RMSSD. • HRV can be a useful tool even in previously under-investigated populations.