Problems with inattention, reading comprehension, and autonomic regulation on the Stroop task

Direct and moderated connections among symptoms of inattention, High‐Frequency Heart Rate Variability (HF‐HRV), and reading comprehension scores were examined. Children age 7 to 12 were rated by both parents and teachers on symptoms of inattention with the Behavior Assessment System for Children. Reading was assessed with the Peabody Individualized Achievement Test, and HF‐HRV was examined during a Stroop task. Controlling for reading recognition scores, results were consistent with previous work, showing HF‐HRV was significantly negatively associated with reading comprehension, with lower HF‐HRV predicting higher reading scores. HF‐HRV also significantly moderated the relationship between symptoms of inattention and reading comprehension, suggesting that as symptoms of inattention increase, children with low HF‐HRV had higher reading comprehension scores. Variations in parasympathetic reactivity may help explain reading comprehension heterogeneity for children with symptoms of inattention.