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 lowresilience 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 leftsided.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.