Fig. 4.

Sex-specific neural stress responses are differentially associated with stress regulation for males and females. Numbers indicate Pearson's r values for male and female participants separately. (a) Responses in vmPFC (ventromedial prefrontal cortex) regions throughout stress differentially predict DERS scores, with higher responses correlating with worse emotion regulation for males and better emotion regulation for females. This pattern was significant for the Difficulties Engaging in Goal-Directed Behavior, Nonacceptance of Emotional Responses, and Impulse Control Difficulties subscales. As in Fig. 3, BOLD responses were computed as the average response to the Stress condition (6 blocks) – Baseline. (b) Changes in hippocampal BOLD throughout stress were differentially associated with DERS for left and right regions. Increasing responses in left hippocampus correlated with worse emotion regulation for males and better emotion regulation for females, whereas increasing responses in right hippocampus correlated with better regulation for males and worse regulation for females. This pattern was significant for the Lack of Emotional Awareness subscales. As in Fig. 3, change in BOLD responses was computed as Late (last 2 blocks) – Early (first 2 blocks) of stress exposure, each relative to Baseline . *p < .05, **p < .01.