Susceptibility to others' emotions moderates immediate self-reported and biological stress responses to witnessing trauma

Behaviour Research and Therapy
Sebastian TrautmannJudith Schäfer

Abstract

The peri-traumatic stress response is a strong predictor of symptom development after trauma exposure. Regarding witnessing trauma, the stress response might depend on the susceptibility to others' emotions (emotional contagion, EC). This study investigated whether EC moderates the immediate stress response using a trauma film paradigm. Ninety-five healthy participants were randomly exposed to a trauma or a neutral film. Perceived stressfulness of the film and pre-to post-film changes in self-reported anxiety, heart rate and saliva cortisol levels were assessed. EC towards negative and positive emotions was measured using the emotional contagion scale and its emotion-specific subscales. Overall, the trauma film was perceived as distressing and elicited an increase in self-reported anxiety, heart rate and saliva cortisol levels relative to the neutral film. EC towards negative emotions was positively related to the perceived stressfulness of the film, increased anxiety and increased heart rate. The association with saliva cortisol levels was also in the expected direction, but not statistically significant. These associations were not found for EC towards positive emotions. EC towards negative emotions may be an important predic...Continue Reading

References

Jan 31, 2003·Psychological Bulletin·Emily J OzerDaniel S Weiss
Jul 1, 2006·Science·Dale J LangfordJeffrey S Mogil
Jul 28, 2006·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Lars-Olov Lundqvist
Sep 5, 2006·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Frederique de Vignemont, Tania Singer
Feb 1, 2008·Acta Psychologica·Emily A Holmes, Corin Bourne
May 3, 2008·Methods in Molecular Biology·Ann L Oberg, Douglas W Mahoney
Aug 12, 2008·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Grit Hein, Tania Singer
Sep 24, 2008·Psychoneuroendocrinology·Katherina K Y HaunerJames W Griffith
Feb 19, 2009·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·Miguel DebonoRichard J Ross
Apr 3, 2009·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Tania Singer, Claus Lamm
Apr 4, 2009·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·Dominique J-F de QuervainBenno Roozendaal
May 2, 2009·Trauma, Violence & Abuse·Naomi Breslau
Nov 26, 2010·Psychoneuroendocrinology·Alexander C McFarlaneGary Wittert
Feb 9, 2012·Psychoneuroendocrinology·Danielle M J de VeldCarolina de Weerth
Feb 14, 2013·Psychological Reports·Rita Rueff-Lopes, António Caetano
Jun 29, 2013·Anxiety, Stress, and Coping·Muriel A HagenaarsJohn F Stins
Jun 1, 2011·International Journal of Cognitive Therapy·Thomas EhringAnke Ehlers
Aug 29, 2013·Depression and Anxiety·Elie G KaramKarestan C Koenen
Dec 11, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·E Alison HolmanRoxane Cohen Silver
Mar 22, 2014·Transcultural Psychiatry·Mulki MölsäMarja-Liisa Honkasalo
May 21, 2014·Biological Psychiatry·Katie A McLaughlinRonald C Kessler
Nov 26, 2014·Development and Psychopathology·Erin B Tone, Erin C Tully
Oct 30, 2015·Behavior Research Methods·Jens BlechertFrank H Wilhelm
Mar 6, 2016·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Jamil ZakiValeria Gazzola
May 1, 2016·Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·Philipp KanskeTania Singer
Aug 17, 2016·Journal of Traumatic Stress·Thomas J YagerBruce P Dohrenwend
Oct 30, 2016·The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society·Andrea L NicolChad M Brummett
Jan 21, 2017·Addiction Biology·Sebastian TrautmannSusann Steudte-Schmiedgen
Apr 7, 2017·Behaviour Research and Therapy·Inna Arnaudova, Muriel A Hagenaars
Jun 29, 2017·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Frans B M de Waal, Stephanie D Preston
Oct 21, 2017·Journal of Affective Disorders·Eva AsselmannKatja Beesdo-Baum

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.