Breathing and Decision-Making (ProlEx-Context)

The dependent variable will be trial-wise gamble acceptance (accept vs. reject of a 50% gamble), which will be mainly analyzed using a binomial generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) to compare the Prolonged Exhalation and Eupnea conditions under acute stress.

Task-related changes in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

High-resolution T1-weighted structural images measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Task-based and resting-state relative respiratory amplitude, measured via a respiratory belt and nasal airflow sensor.

Task-based and resting-state relative respiratory amplitude, measured via a respiratory belt and nasal airflow sensor.

Task-based and resting-state heart rate, measured with ECG

Task-based and resting-state heart-rate variability, measured with a three-point electrocardiogram (ECG)

Resting-state and task-based gastric myoelectrical activity, measured using cutaneous electrogastrography (EGG).

Tonic task-based and resting-state electrodermal activity, measured with EDA electrodes

Phasic electrodermal activity, measured via electrodermal activity (EDA) electrodes

Concentration of cortisol in saliva (measured in nmol/L). This indexes the HPA-axis response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). We will compare the cortisol trajectory

Task-based and resting-state pupil dilation, measured via eye-tracking

The average time (in milliseconds) taken by participants to make a choice in each trial.

Self-reported levels of stress will be measured via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100. A score of 0 represents "not at all" and 100 represents "extremely high."

Self-reported levels of tension will be measured via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100. A score of 0 represents "not at all" and 100 represents "extremely high."

Self-reported levels of heart feeling will be measured via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100. A score of 0 represents "not at all" and 100 represents "extremely high."

Self-reported levels of stomach feeling will be measured via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100. A score of 0 represents "not at all" and 100 represents "extremely high."

trait and state anxiety, assessed via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S and STAI-T). State anxiety is assessed on a scale from "not at all" to "very much" on an 8-point scale, and trait anxiety is assessed on a scale from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating higher anxiety.

Positive and negative affect, assessed via the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Responses range from "not at all" to "extremely" on a 5-point scale (from 0 to 5). Higher positive affect scores indicate greater positive affect, and higher negative affect scores indicate greater negative affect.

Depressive symptoms, assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Items are rated from 0 to 3 based on how the participant felt during the past week including today, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptoms.

Personality traits, assessed via the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10). Responses range from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree" on a 5-point scale (from 1 to 5). Higher subscale scores indicate greater levels of the corresponding personality trait.

Impulsivity, assessed via the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-15). Items are rated on a scale from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater impulsivity.

Self-control, assessed via the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS). Responses range from "not at all" to "very much" on a 5-point scale (from 0 to 5), with higher scores indicating greater self-control.

Behavioral inhibition and activation, assessed via the BIS/BAS scales. Items are rated on a scale from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating stronger inhibition or activation tendencies.

Interoceptive awareness, assessed via the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). Responses range from "never" to "always" on a 6-point scale (from 0 to 5). Higher subscale scores indicate greater self-reported interoceptive awareness in the corresponding domain.

Perceived stress, assessed via the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). Responses range from "almost never" to "usually" on a 4-point scale (from 0 to 5), referring to the past 4 weeks, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.

General self-efficacy, assessed via the Self-Efficacy Scale (SES). Responses range from "not at all true" to "exactly true" on a 4-point scale (from 1 to 4), with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy.

Mental well-being, assessed via the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). Responses range from "never" to "always" on a 5-point scale (from 1 to 5), with higher scores indicating greater mental well-being over the past 2 weeks.

Loneliness, assessed via the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Responses range from "not at all" to "completely" on a 5-point scale (from 1 to 5), with higher scores indicating greater loneliness.

Resilience, assessed via the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Responses range from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree" on a 5-point scale (from 0 to 5), with higher scores indicating greater resilience.

Social anxiety, assessed via the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Fear and avoidance are each rated on a scale from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating greater social anxiety.

Autism-related traits, assessed via the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-k). Items are rated on a 4-point scale (from 1 to 4), with higher scores indicating greater endorsement of autism-related traits.

Physical activity, assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The questionnaire assesses the number of days and time spent in vigorous activity, moderate activity, walking, and sitting over the past 7 days, considering activities performed for at least 10 minutes without interruption. Higher values indicate greater reported activity or sedentary time in the respective domain.

leep quality, assessed via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The questionnaire assesses sleep habits over the past 4 weeks, including sleep timing, duration, disturbances, and subjective sleep quality. Several items are rated on 4-point scales, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality.