Clarifying the link between psychopathologies and heart rate variability, and the sex differences: Can neuropsychological features serve as mediators?

•There were sex differences in the performance of neuropsychological tests.•The relationship between HRV and neuropsychological features was stronger than which between HRV and psychopathologies.•In women, psychomotor speed and emotional regulation mediated the relationship between psychopathologies and HRV.•In men, shifting and selective attention mediated the relationship between psychopathologies and HRV.