To investigate the diversity of experiences of sadness emotion and physiological responses among female college students with high neuroticism (HN) and low neuroticism (LN) during the late luteal phase (LLP) and early follicular phase (EFP).

Forty-two participants were classified as the HN group and 41 as the LN group based on their neuroticism score (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale for Chinese). Participants watched sadness-inducing experimental films during the LLP and EFP.

The HN group showed similar sadness intensities in both phases. The LN group showed higher sadness intensity in the LLP than the EFP. The LN group's sadness scale assessments were lower than the HN group in both phases. The blood volume pulse in the HN group fell in both the LLP and EFP (both P < .001). The root mean square standard deviation of NN intervals rose in the EFP in the HN group before and after watching experimental films (P = .027), but fell in the LN group (P > .05). Between-group comparisons showed heart rate was significantly lower in the HN group than the LN group during EFP (P = .009), but there were no statistically significant differences in subjective experience and physiological data during LLP. The HN group had stronger sadness feelings and greater sadness arousal than the LN group during EFP. There were significant associations between menstrual cycle-related changes in sadness ratings and changes in physiological outcomes.

Women with HN have less fluctuation in sadness than those with LN during the menstrual cycle, but experience strong sadness feelings in the LLP. Women with HN show stronger physiological responses in the EFP than those with LN, and have the highest responses in the LLP.

Research on the biological mechanisms by which the liver controls dispersion and regulates emotion usually focuses on psychological stress. This study investigated the biological mechanisms underlying the liver’s regulation of emotion using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Differences in subjective stress, subjective emotion, and physiological responses were examined between healthy women (Group A) and depressed women with liver qi stagnation syndrome (Group B).

Subjects were 72 women who met the inclusion criteria after physical examination. The EPQ-RSC, BAI, and BDI-21 were used to assess personality and emotion. Subjects completed a 5-point scale to measure subjective stress. Heart rate and heart rate variability were measured. To measure changes in activity of the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC-NE)/autonomic nervous system and the HPA axis, saliva samples were collected at the end of the rest and preparation periods, and 5 time pionts after the TSST task. The PAD Emotion Scale was completed at 4 time points before and after the TSST task. Saliva cortisol was tested. These indexes were compared between the two groups.

There were 33 subjects in Group A and 39 subjects in Group B. Subjects in Group B had lower levels of stress, pleasure, and dominance, but higher arousal (after the task: P < .05). They also had higher saliva cortisol levels, slower heart rate, higher BVP, and more stable RMSSD and SDNN.

In relation to mood, the liver’s regulation of emotion mainly affects negative emotional experience and the sense of control. Regarding the biological mechanisms underlying the liver’s regulation of emotion, the activity of the LC-NE/autonomic nervous system in women is more obvious in response to psychological stress when the dispersion of the liver is normal. The activity of the HPA axis in women is more obvious in response to psychological stress when the dispersion of the liver is abnormal.