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Mello M, Fusaro M, Aglioti SM. The neuroscience of human empathy for pleasure: protocol for a scoping review. Syst Rev 2024; 13:82. [PMID: 38431698 PMCID: PMC10908019 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-024-02481-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The neuroscience of human empathy for pleasure and positive affect is an emergent, scarcely addressed topic. The main aim of this scoping review is to map the impact of this new research domain on the field of social and affective neuroscience. INTRODUCTION Most of the literature on empathy and affect sharing has hitherto focused on negative emotions, with a special focus on pain. However, understanding, sharing, and reacting to others' pleasures is an evolutionarily and socially important function. Our scoping review addresses this gap in the literature and tries to unify the available information under the empathy for pleasure umbrella. INCLUSION CRITERIA This scoping review is intended to cover studies on empathy for positive emotions, pleasant sensory outcomes, and other rewards in healthy individuals and neurological/neuropsychiatric/neurodevelopmental disorders populations. METHODS We will perform a systematic search in the Medline (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) databases. Two authors will independently screen all titles, abstracts, and then full-text articles that meet the inclusion criteria. The year range of interest will be 2000-2022, and only journal articles published in English will be assessed. Data will be extracted and presented in tables and/or graphical representations to synthesize and describe the results. The extracted data will be reported in a comprehensive summary. RESULTS The final manuscript is intended for submission to an indexed journal in late 2023/beginning 2024. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the present scoping review will be the first to address the variety and heterogeneity of available evidence on human empathy for pleasure. We ultimately aim at perusing the growing literature on this far-reaching field of study and informing future research. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION The neuroscience of human empathy for pleasure: Protocol for a scoping review. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/W7H6J . (December 27, 2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Mello
- Sapienza University of Rome and CLN2S@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy.
| | - Martina Fusaro
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Maria Aglioti
- Sapienza University of Rome and CLN2S@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Kim S, Gollwitzer PM, Oettingen G. Mental contrasting of a negative future facilitates COVID-19 preventative behaviors: two randomized controlled trials. Psychol Health 2024; 39:1-23. [PMID: 35410548 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2060978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The present research examined whether mentally contrasting a negative, feared future (i.e., infection with the Coronavirus) with a still positive reality can promote preventative actions in the context of the pandemic. Design: In two randomized controlled trials, we varied participants' mode of thought (mental contrasting of a negative future with a positive reality versus fantasizing of a negative future). Study 2 took into account the interpersonal nature of the pandemic and manipulated the mode of thought in a vicarious manner (vicarious mental contrasting versus vicarious negative fantasizing). Main Outcome Measures: After the manipulation, we assessed participants' intentions to learn about COVID-19 (Study 1) and attention to COVID-19 information (Study 1 and 2). Three days later, we measured the amount of physical distancing (Study 1 and 2). Results: Study 1 found that mental contrasting leads to more COVID-19 preventative behaviors than mere negative fantasizing. In Study 2, we observed that vicarious mental contrasting facilitates physical distancing among people who initially showed low compliance with COVID-19 preventative behaviors and thus were in most need of a boost in preventative behavior. Conclusion: The findings suggest that mental contrasting of negative fantasies may be an effective way to encourage COVID-19 preventative behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- SunYoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Tan X, Yang Y, Yu M. Longitudinal relationship of empathy and social anxiety among adolescents: The mediation roles of psychological inflexibility and rejection sensitivity. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:867-876. [PMID: 37467804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of study was to explore the roles of psychological inflexibility and rejection sensitivity in the relationship between (cognitive and affective) empathy and social anxiety among adolescents. METHODS A two-wave longitudinal design was adopted in the present study. A total of 2481 participants (41.60 % male; Mage = 16.48) aged from 13 to 21 in 2021 completed the Chinese Version of Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI-C), Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), Chinese version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y8), Child Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (CRSQ), and Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescent (SAS-A) at baseline assessment (T1), and completed the SAS-A again three months later (T2). RESULTS (1) Results showed, personal distress at T1 could significantly and positively predict social anxiety at T2. (2) Mediation analyses results demonstrated that adolescents' experience avoidance and rejection sensitivity at T1 were significant mediators between cognitive empathy at T1 and social anxiety at T2, but with the opposite effect. As for affective empathy, rejection sensitivity at T1 significantly mediated the relationship between adolescents' empathic concern at T1 and social anxiety at T2. Furthermore, experience avoidance and rejection sensitivity at T1 significantly mediated the association between personal distress at T1 and social anxiety at T2. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive and affective empathy had different roles in contributing to adolescents' social anxiety. The findings in the current study can also provide empirical support for targeting adolescents' social anxiety by reducing personal distress directly and decreasing experiential avoidance and rejection sensitivity indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Tan
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, PR China; The Guidance Centre for Student Development, Dongguan High School, Dongguan, Guangdong 523120, PR China
| | - Youtian Yang
- Centre for Psychological Health Education, Zhongshan Technician College, Zhongshan, Guangdong 528400, PR China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Department of Psychiatry, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, PR China.
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Liu F, Dong Y, Yuan Y, Jiang Y. Relationship Between Empathy and Interpersonal Distress of Chinese Left-Behind Children: The Role of Emotion Regulation and Gender. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:3717-3726. [PMID: 37700881 PMCID: PMC10494921 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s406801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Interpersonal relationship serve as crucial of social support and a sense of security for left-behind children, playing a compensatory role in mitigating the absence of familial affection. Interpersonal distress can significantly impact their mental well-being. Although previous research has established a connection between empathy and interpersonal distress, the mechanisms by which empathy triggers interpersonal distress, as well as potential gender-based variations in this relationship, remain elusive. To bridge this gap in knowledge, this study investigates the mediating influence of emotion regulation and the moderating impact of gender in the relationship between empathy and interpersonal distress. Methods A total of 713 rural left-behind children completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index scale, Emotion Regulation Competence Scale, and Interpersonal Relationship Assessment Scale. Results Pearson correlation analyses suggested strong significant correlations among empathy, emotion regulation ability, and interpersonal distress. Path analyses indicated that emotion regulation ability mediated the relationship between empathy and interpersonal distress. Furthermore, hierarchical regression analyses suggest a moderating effect of gender in the relationship between empathy and emotion regulation ability. Discussion The present study reveals the role of emotion regulation ability and gender in the relationship between empathy and interpersonal distress, which has important theoretical and practical implications for the prevention and intervention of interpersonal distress in left-behind children. Moreover, it may strengthen the relationship between peer and teacher at school, and improve the quality of parent-child communication at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Liu
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yinghan Dong
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingjie Jiang
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
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Jefferies P, Fritz J, Deighton J, Ungar M. Analysis of Protective Factors in Schoolchildren in England Using the Dual-factor Model of Mental Health. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:907-920. [PMID: 36786892 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The dual-factor approach to mental health was employed to explore levels and interrelations of protective factors associated with resilience in a dataset of 30,841 schoolchildren aged 11-14 in England. ANOVA was used to contrast levels of protective factors between groups (combinations of higher/lower psychopathology and higher/lower wellbeing) and network analysis to explore protective factor interrelations. Levels of protective factors tended to be highest for those who had higher wellbeing and lower psychopathology (termed 'complete mental health'). Those with lower levels of protective factors were split between two subpopulations: having lower wellbeing and higher psychopathology (termed 'troubled'), and having lower wellbeing and lower psychopathology (termed 'vulnerable'). Analysis of the protective factor networks revealed that the four subpopulations of the model were distinguished by both their overall structure and individual node connectivity (the 'complete mental health' subpopulation demonstrated the greatest connectivity), though two were similar: those with higher wellbeing and higher psychopathology (termed 'symptomatic but content') and lower wellbeing and higher psychopathology ('troubled'). The results indicate that while 'vulnerable' and 'symptomatic but content' may be hard to discriminate conceptually, the former may reflect a lower capacity to cope during periods of adversity (i.e., show resilience). Overall, the results encourage a holistic approach to mental health screening, particularly as children with lower wellbeing had lower levels of the protective factors, regardless of their level of psychopathology. Moreover, interventions to improve protective factors associated with positive development in stressed environments may therefore have a greater impact on improving wellbeing than decreasing symptoms of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Jefferies
- Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Jessica Fritz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Hesse, Germany
| | - Jessica Deighton
- University College London and the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Michael Ungar
- Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Navidi P, Saeedpour S, Ershadmanesh S, Hossein MM, Bahrami B. Prosocial learning: Model-based or model-free? PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287563. [PMID: 37352225 PMCID: PMC10289351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Prosocial learning involves the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary for making decisions that benefit others. We asked if, in the context of value-based decision-making, there is any difference between learning strategies for oneself vs. for others. We implemented a 2-step reinforcement learning paradigm in which participants learned, in separate blocks, to make decisions for themselves or for a present other confederate who evaluated their performance. We replicated the canonical features of the model-based and model-free reinforcement learning in our results. The behaviour of the majority of participants was best explained by a mixture of the model-based and model-free control, while most participants relied more heavily on MB control, and this strategy enhanced their learning success. Regarding our key self-other hypothesis, we did not find any significant difference between the behavioural performances nor in the model-based parameters of learning when comparing self and other conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Navidi
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepehr Saeedpour
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Ershadmanesh
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Computational Neuroscience, MPI for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Bahador Bahrami
- Crowd Cognition Group, Department of General Psychology and Education, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
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Poole KL, Sosa-Hernandez L, Green ES, Wilson M, Labahn C, Henderson HA. Children's shyness and physiological arousal to a peer's social stress. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22388. [PMID: 37073588 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Previous work has shown that children's shyness is related to personal anxiety during social stress, but we know little about how shyness is related to anxiety during a peer's social stress. Children (Mage = 10.22 years, SD = 0.81, N = 62) were paired with an unfamiliar peer and engaged in a speech task while electrocardiography was recorded. We modeled changes in children's heart rate, a physiological correlate of anxiety, while they observed their peer prepare and deliver a speech. Results revealed that the observing child's shyness related to increases in their heart rate during their peer's preparation period, but modulation of this arousal was sensitive to the presenting peer's anxious behavior while delivering their speech. Specifically, if the presenting child displayed high levels of anxious behavior, the observing child's shyness was related to further increases in heart rate, but if the presenting child displayed low levels of anxious behavior, the observing child's shyness was related to decreases in heart rate from the preparation period. Shy children may experience physiological arousal to a peer's social stress but can regulate this arousal based on social cues from the peer, which may be due to heightened social threat detection and/or empathic anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie L Poole
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Emma S Green
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - McLennon Wilson
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claudia Labahn
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Brown CL, Grimm KJ, Wells JL, Hua AY, Levenson RW. Empathic Accuracy and Shared Depressive Symptoms in Close Relationships. Clin Psychol Sci 2023; 11:509-525. [PMID: 37206479 PMCID: PMC10193708 DOI: 10.1177/21677026221141852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Empathic accuracy, the ability to accurately understand others' emotions, is typically viewed as beneficial for mental health. However, empathic accuracy may be problematic when a close relational partner is depressed because it promotes shared depression. Across two studies, we measured empathic accuracy using laboratory tasks that capture the ability to rate others' emotional valence accurately over time: first, in a sample of 156 neurotypical married couples (Study 1; Total N=312), and then in a sample of 102 informal caregivers of individuals with dementia (Study 2). Across both studies, the association between empathic accuracy and depressive symptoms varied as a function of a partner's level of depressive symptoms. Greater empathic accuracy was associated with (a) fewer depressive symptoms when a partner lacked depressive symptoms, but (b) more depressive symptoms when a partner had high levels of depressive symptoms. Accurately detecting changes in others' emotional valence may underpin shared depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey L. Brown
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
| | | | - Jenna L. Wells
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Alice Y. Hua
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
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9
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Manczak EM. Is there a cost to caring? Dispositional affective empathy interacts with depressive symptoms to predict higher C-reactive protein 8 years later. Biol Psychol 2023; 180:108573. [PMID: 37148961 PMCID: PMC10330800 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Affective empathy, including the tendency to vicariously experience the emotions of others, is a highly-valued prosocial trait, but has been previously found to be associated with higher chronic inflammation cross-sectionally and to interact with the levels of depressive symptoms in important social partners. The current study utilized prospective longitudinal data from a nationally representative study of adults in the United States to assess whether dispositional affective empathy interacted with one's own depressive symptoms to predict C-reactive protein (CRP) approximately eight years later. Results revealed that higher ratings of empathy predicted higher CRP, but only among individuals with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Higher depressive symptoms related to greater inflammation regardless of dispositional empathy and perceived stress did not account for observed associations. Taken together, these findings suggest that vicariously experiencing others' emotions may come at a biological cost, which, if sustained, may place individuals at greater risk for inflammatory diseases.
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10
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The relationship between narcissism and empathy: A meta-analytic review. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PERSONALITY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2022.104329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Brazil IA. Social-affective functioning and learning in psychopathy. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 197:75-86. [PMID: 37633720 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-821375-9.00014-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Psychopathy is a personality construct for which impairments in multiple aspects of social and affective functioning are considered to be central. Individuals with elevated levels of psychopathic traits tend to exhibit maladaptive behaviors that are harmful to themselves and others, and seem to be limited in how they perceive and experience affective states. This chapter provides a brief overview of biopsychological theories and studies of psychopathy targeting impairments in affective processing and behavioral adaptation through learning. Also, current gaps in the literature will be discussed in addition to findings highlighting the need to routinely reexamine the validity and robustness of decades-old views on psychopathy in the light of recent multidisciplinary empirical research. The chapter ends with a short reflection on how alternative views may offer novel insights that may bring significant advances in the study of the biopsychological factors underlying psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inti A Brazil
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Sun W, Chen T, Hietanen JK. Skin conductance, facial EMG, and heart rate responses in multi-person gaze interactions. Biol Psychol 2023; 176:108465. [PMID: 36442581 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Previous literature has reported enhanced affective and attentional responses to faces with a direct vs. averted gaze. Typically, in these studies, only single faces were presented. However, daily social encounters often involve interaction with more than just one person. By employing an experimental set-up in which the participants believed they were interacting with two other persons, the present study, for the first time, investigated participants' skin conductance, facial electromyographic (EMG), and heart rate deceleration responses in multi-person eye contact situations. Responses were measured in two different social contexts; i) when the participants observed eye contact between two other persons ('vicarious eye contact effect'), and ii) when the participants themselves received direct gaze either from one or two persons. The results showed that the skin conductance, facial EMG, and heart rate deceleration responses elicited by observing two other persons making eye contact did not differ from those elicited by observing one person looking at the other while the other person was not reciprocating with their gaze. As a novel finding, the results showed that receiving direct gaze from two persons elicited greater affective arousal and zygomatic EMG, but smaller heart rate deceleration responses in participants than receiving direct gaze from one person only. The findings are thoroughly discussed and it is concluded that physiological responses in multi-person interaction contexts are influenced by many social effects between the interactors and can be markedly different from those observed in two-person interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Sun
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Tingji Chen
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
| | - Jari K Hietanen
- Human Information Processing Laboratory, Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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Gomez-Baya D, Salinas-Perez JA, Sanchez-Lopez A, Paino-Quesada S, Mendoza-Berjano R. The Role of Developmental Assets in Gender Differences in Anxiety in Spanish Youth. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:810326. [PMID: 35546952 PMCID: PMC9081569 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.810326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychological disorders during emerging adulthood. Some consistent gender differences have been reported in anxiety with women suffering more anxiety than men, which has detrimental consequences in most life spheres in the youth and later life stages. The understanding of the development of anxiety in emerging adulthood requires a developmental perspective. The Developmental Assets Theory was postulated to describe the individual and the contextual resources which may foster positive youth development and mental health. The present study aims to analyze to what extent the gender differences in anxiety may be partly explained by gender differences in developmental assets. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was conducted in which a sample of 1,044 youths (75.5% women; age range = 18-28; M age = 20.47, SD = 3.08) enrolled in 11 universities from different regions in Spain filled in self-report measures of developmental assets and anxiety symptoms. The participants completed an online survey with the scales, Developmental Assets Profile developed by the Search Institute (1) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) (2). The results showed more anxiety in the female subsample (at both the symptoms and clinical levels). Some gender differences in developmental assets were also observed. A partial mediation model, based on regression analyses, indicated that gender differences in anxiety were partly explained by gender differences in developmental assets. Thus, higher anxiety in the women was partly due to lower scores in positive identity and higher scores in positive values. These results suggested the need to design programs to prevent anxiety with specific measures for women youth to nurture positive identity and promote strengths and coping skills that allow them to get the benefits of well-being derived from positive values, thus, preventing worry and stress overload, which may lead to anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Gomez-Baya
- Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Jose A Salinas-Perez
- Department of Quantitative Methods, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Seville, Spain
| | - Alvaro Sanchez-Lopez
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Paino-Quesada
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Ramon Mendoza-Berjano
- Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
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Li X, English AS, Kulich SJ. Anger among Chinese migrants amid COVID-19 discrimination: The role of host news coverage, cultural distance, and national identity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259866. [PMID: 34784374 PMCID: PMC8594835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As the early COVID-19 outbreak sparked xenophobia against people of Asian and Chinese background, we collected data from Chinese migrants worldwide to test how discrimination at a macro-level was perceived by the Chinese during COVID-19 globally. Specifically, we examined (1) whether/how the Chinese migrants were aware of discrimination against their co-nationals during COVID; (2) if so, whether anger was a predominant reaction of these Chinese towards certain exposure to relevant information; (3) how responses of anger transcend across the group of Chinese migrants. Integrating the ecological approach to media and cultural psychology, as well as the intergroup perspective of social psychology, we conducted a study that explored the impact of traditional media exposure to discrimination on collective anger-a process mediated by national identity among the Chinese migrants. Findings provide some evidence that geographically dispersed mono-cultural groups may share or identify with collective emotions when facing xenophobic threats in a macro context. Further examination of cultural distance (between China and the host country) among the Chinese migrants also revealed a particular interaction between host newspaper coverage and cultural distance on national identity. These findings suggest further research to examine the emotional norms of similar cultures bonded via strong collective identities in times of intergroup threat and the theoretical possibility for diasporic identity processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Li
- Intercultural Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China
| | - Alexander S. English
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Steve J. Kulich
- Intercultural Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China
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Jeong D, Han SH, Jeong DY, Kwon K, Choi S. Investigating 4D movie audiences’ emotional responses to motion effects and empathy. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2021.106797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Bray KO, Anderson V, Pantelis C, Pozzi E, Schwartz OS, Vijayakumar N, Richmond S, Deane C, Allen NB, Whittle S. Associations between cognitive and affective empathy and internalizing symptoms in late childhood. J Affect Disord 2021; 290:245-253. [PMID: 34010749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Empathy is a multidimensional construct, which includes cognitive and affective components. Studies in adults have demonstrated that both cognitive and affective empathy are associated with anxious and depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine these associations in childhood. METHODS Participants were 127 9- and 10-year-old children, recruited from the community. Self-report measures of cognitive and affective empathy, and internalizing symptoms were administered, as well as a task-based measure of cognitive empathy. RESULTS Canonical correlation analysis demonstrated that components of affective empathy, specifically affective sharing and empathic distress, were associated with internalizing (particularly social anxiety) symptoms (Rc = 0.63, non-parametric p < .001). Cognitive empathy was not associated with internalizing symptoms. LIMITATIONS Most of our findings were based around self-report measures of empathy, which may not accurately reflect empathy ability. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggests that children who share each other's emotions strongly are more likely to experience anxiety, particularly of a social nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine O Bray
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre (MNC), Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Vicki Anderson
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre (MNC), Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elena Pozzi
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre (MNC), Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia; Orygen, Melbourne Australia, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Orli S Schwartz
- Orygen, Melbourne Australia, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Sally Richmond
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Camille Deane
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Sarah Whittle
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre (MNC), Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia
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17
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Park J, Carrillo B, Mendes WB. Is vicarious stress functionally adaptive? Perspective-taking modulates the effects of vicarious stress on future firsthand stress. Emotion 2021; 21:1131-1143. [PMID: 34060861 DOI: 10.1037/emo0000963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Mere observation of others experiencing stress is often sufficient to evoke stress vicariously, especially when people try to understand the situation from the viewpoint of others. Here, we tested whether and how the experience of vicarious stress, facilitated by perspective-taking, would influence individuals' affective and motivational reactions to an upcoming experience of firsthand stress-when they themselves encounter the same stressor in the future. Participants viewed a video clip of another participant undergoing a stressful task (a speech task), after being randomly assigned to take either a first-person perspective of the person (perspective-taking condition; n = 45) or maintain a detached, third-person, observer perspective (objective condition; n = 46). Subsequently, participants were given a surprise speech task and asked to prepare for their own speech for 2 minutes, during which their cardiovascular responses were assessed to differentiate motivational states of challenge or threat. Compared to participants in the objective condition, those in the perspective-taking condition perceived higher levels of stress in anticipation of giving a speech. The heightened stress appraisals, in turn, were associated with a more adaptive pattern of cardiovascular reactivity to the firsthand (relative to vicarious) stressor, characterized as challenge responses (an increase in cardiac output and a decrease in total peripheral resistance). These results suggest that perspective-taking enhances sensitivity to vicarious stress, which in turn, may facilitate preparedness for future stressors. Discussion centers on the functional adaptiveness of vicarious stress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Park
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Dallas
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18
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The double-edged-sword effect of empathy: The secondary traumatic stress and vicarious posttraumatic growth of psychological hotline counselors during the outbreak of COVID-19. ACTA PSYCHOLOGICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1041.2021.00992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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19
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Shaw PV, Wilson GA, Antony MM. Examination of emotional contagion and social anxiety using novel video stimuli. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2020; 34:215-227. [PMID: 33124470 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2020.1839729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Socially anxious individuals often exhibit signs of anxiety that might elicit discomfort in others and negatively influence their interactions, due in part to emotional contagion. However, there is limited research examining the phenomenon of emotional contagion in social anxiety, which is the topic of the current study. DESIGN AND METHODS An experimental design was used in which undergraduate psychology students (N = 128) were assigned to either an experimental condition (watching a video of a socially anxious presenter) or a control condition (watching a video of a nonanxious presenter). Various measures were administered to assess social anxiety, emotional contagion, state anxiety, and related constructs. RESULTS After controlling for baseline anxiety levels, participants in the experimental condition reported significantly higher levels of anxiety during and immediately after watching the video compared to individuals in the control condition (multivariate analysis of covariance, analysis of variance). Similar results were found across both conditions in participants with higher levels of trait social anxiety and higher public speaking anxiety (moderated regression analyses). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that social anxiety may be emotionally contagious, and provides insight into the role that emotional contagion may play in the association between social anxiety and interpersonal functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pam V Shaw
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Martin M Antony
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
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20
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Chen X, Liu T, Li P, Wei W, Chao M. The Relationship Between Media Involvement and Death Anxiety of Self-Quarantined People in the COVID-19 Outbreak in China: The Mediating Roles of Empathy and Sympathy. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2020; 85:974-989. [PMID: 32955991 PMCID: PMC9361034 DOI: 10.1177/0030222820960283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak put health threat to people globally, and self-quarantine was suggested by the Chinese government to contain the outbreak. In self-quarantine, media was the most important way to get information about the outbreak. However, the relationship between media involvement and death anxiety, and the underlying mechanism are poorly understood. We conducted an online survey of 917 participants to assess the media involvement and other potential factors (empathy, sympathy and affect) which might affect death anxiety. Correlation analysis and mediation models were conducted to examine the relationship between media involvement and death anxiety, and the possible mediating roles of empathy, sympathy, and affect. It was found that media involvement was positively associated with death anxiety. Empathy, sympathy, and negative affect played mediating roles between them. However, empathy and sympathy act differently in the association, as empathy could lead to the increase of negative affect, while sympathy did not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueming Chen
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tour Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China.,Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students' Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wanshu Wei
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Miao Chao
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China.,Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students' Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
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21
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The role of empathy in the mechanism linking parental psychological control to emotional reactivities to COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study among Chinese emerging adults. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2020; 168:110399. [PMID: 32982001 PMCID: PMC7500908 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its worldwide spread have brought economic, social and personal stress. To better understand human adjustments to this public health emergency and its underlying mechanism, the relationship between perceived parental psychological control in emerging adults and individual's emotional reactivity to COVID-19 as well as the role of empathy was examined. The study was conducted among 445 emerging adults using questionnaires measuring parental psychological control, empathy, and emotional reactivities in the initial stage of COVID-19. Results revealed that parental psychological control conferred risks for individual's increased negative emotional reactivity to this pandemic. Moreover, our findings shedlight on personal distress as a mechanism through which parental psychological control induces negative emotional reactivities. Although no direct effect between parental psychological control and positive emotional reactivity was found, personal distress and perspective taking mediate the association in an opposite way. Findings have implications for predicting and intervening mental health problems in COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergency.
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22
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Mitchell S, Andrews L, Engward H. Examining the effects of acquired limb loss on the family network: a grounded theory study. Disabil Rehabil 2020; 44:745-753. [PMID: 32567378 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1780480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: Individuals with acquired limb loss are faced with various challenges. Family networks become important in facilitating coping and recovery, but the limited research into their own experiences has so far only examined spousal and parental carers.Aims: This research aimed to: understand the experiences of acquired limb loss from the perspective of the family network; and to develop a theoretical model to explain how they experience limb loss of the other. The use of 'network' was adopted to include kin self-identified as family.Method: Participants (n = 14) were recruited nationally. Interviews were conducted in a process moving from unstructured, semi-structured and structured interviews, using Grounded Theory method.Findings: A theoretical model was developed around the interaction of five core categories. Families witness the difficulties faced by the person with limb loss, leading to a responsibility to provide support. Families subsequently experience various challenges of limb loss; together with numerous emotional reactions. Various forms of coping are used in order to resolve these experiences.Conclusions: Families are involved in the processes and challenges of an amputation in another family member, regardless of aetiology, gender or relationship structure. The theoretical model can be understood through the integration of existing research. The issues identified indicate potential considerations for services supporting such families.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe challenges and emotions experienced by family members have potential consequences for the support offered to the person with limb loss.This could ultimately influence the physical and psychological rehabilitation of the person with limb loss.Services should support families in witnessing difficulties in the person with limb loss, adjusting to relational changes and managing health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mitchell
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Leanne Andrews
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Hilary Engward
- Veterans and Families Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK
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23
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Uysal N, Çamsari UM, ATEş M, Kandİş S, Karakiliç A, Çamsari GB. Empathy as a Concept from Bench to Bedside: A Translational Challenge. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2020; 57:71-77. [PMID: 32110155 PMCID: PMC7024828 DOI: 10.29399/npa.23457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Empathy is a multidimensional paradigm, and there currently is a lack of scientific consensus in its definition. In this paper, we review the possibility of compromising data during behavioral neuroscience experiments, including but not limited to those who study empathy. The experimental protocols can affect, and be affected by, empathy and related processes at multiple levels. We discuss several points to help researchers develop a successful translational pathway for behavioral research on empathy. Despite varying in their focus with no widely accepted model, current rodent models on empathy have provided sound translational explanations for many neuropsychiatric proof-of-concepts to date. Research has shown that empathy can be influenced by many parameters, some of which are to be reviewed in this paper. We emphasize the future importance of consistency in modeling proof of concept; efforts to create a multidisciplinary group which would include both bench scientists and clinicians with expertise in neuropsychiatry, and the consideration of empathy as an independent variable in animal behavioral experimental designs which is not the mainstream practice at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazan Uysal
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ulaş M. Çamsari
- Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mehmet ATEş
- Department of Pharmacology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sevim Kandİş
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aslı Karakiliç
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Gamze B. Çamsari
- Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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24
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Brain and behavioral alterations in subjects with social anxiety dominated by empathic embarrassment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:4385-4391. [PMID: 32041879 PMCID: PMC7049137 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1918081117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
People are increasingly affected by social anxiety that includes emotional hypersensitivity and inaccurate interpretation of social encounters, and varies markedly in its subjective manifestations. We searched for insights into the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms of Taijin-kyofusho (TKS), a specific subtype of social-anxiety disorder common in East Asia and dominated by empathic or other-oriented embarrassment. We found TKS to be characterized by enhanced affective and reduced cognitive empathy. Moreover, analysis of functional MRI data—collected while subjects viewed videos of badly singing people—revealed disruption of the cognitive–empathy network, possibly obstructing flexible inference of others’ perspective or augmenting maladaptive feelings of embarrassment. Our findings shed light on how altered affective and cognitive processing can contribute to the development of imaginary fears. Social-anxiety disorder involves a fear of embarrassing oneself in the presence of others. Taijin-kyofusho (TKS), a subtype common in East Asia, additionally includes a fear of embarrassing others. TKS individuals are hypersensitive to others’ feelings and worry that their physical or behavioral defects humiliate others. To explore the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms, we compared TKS ratings with questionnaire-based empathic disposition, cognitive flexibility (set-shifting), and empathy-associated brain activity in 23 Japanese adults. During 3-tesla functional MRI, subjects watched video clips of badly singing people who expressed either authentic embarrassment (EMBAR) or hubristic pride (PRIDE). We expected the EMBAR singers to embarrass the viewers via emotion-sharing involving affective empathy (affEMP), and the PRIDE singers to embarrass via perspective-taking involving cognitive empathy (cogEMP). During affEMP (EMBAR > PRIDE), TKS scores correlated positively with dispositional affEMP (personal-distress dimension) and with amygdala activity. During cogEMP (EMBAR < PRIDE), TKS scores correlated negatively with cognitive flexibility and with activity of the posterior superior temporal sulcus/temporoparietal junction (pSTS/TPJ). Intersubject correlation analysis implied stronger involvement of the anterior insula, inferior frontal gyrus, and premotor cortex during affEMP than cogEMP and stronger involvement of the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and pSTS/TPJ during cogEMP than affEMP. During cogEMP, the whole-brain functional connectivity was weaker the higher the TKS scores. The observed imbalance between affEMP and cogEMP, and the disruption of functional brain connectivity, likely deteriorate cognitive processing during embarrassing situations in persons who suffer from other-oriented social anxiety dominated by empathic embarrassment.
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25
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Yüksel O, Ateş M, Kızıldağ S, Yüce Z, Koç B, Kandiş S, Güvendi G, Karakılıç A, Gümüş H, Uysal N. Regular Aerobic Voluntary Exercise Increased Oxytocin in Female Mice: The Cause of Decreased Anxiety and Increased Empathy-Like Behaviors. Balkan Med J 2019; 36:257-262. [PMID: 31140236 PMCID: PMC6711252 DOI: 10.4274/balkanmedj.galenos.2019.2018.12.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: It is known that regular physical activity reduces anxiety. Low anxiety levels affect mood, emotions, and empathy. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone that regulates social interaction, sexual reproduction, maternal–infant bonding, milk release, empathy, and anxiety. Empathy is an important behavior in the living community; and also important for sportsmen during sportive competition and daily living life, because sportsmen are also role model of people. Aims: To investigate the effects of voluntary physical activity on oxytocin, anxiety, and empathy levels as well as the relationship between them. Study Design: Animal experiment. Methods: Male and female mice were made to exercise in running wheel cages for 6 weeks. Their empathy and anxiety levels were evaluated by using Helping Behavior test and elevated plus maze and open field test, respectively. And then the brain and blood oxytocin levels were measured. Results: Empathy-like behavior was improved in both genders of the exercise groups (door-opening time decreased in both genders of exercise groups, p for both=0.0001). As a response to exercise, both the brain and serum oxytocin levels increased in female mice (both of p=0.0001); however, in males, oxytocin levels increased in only the brain (p<0.05). Anxiety levels decreased in all the exercise groups (increased time spent in the middle area of open field test, both genders, p=0.002; increased time spent in the open arms of elevated plus maze test, females p=0.004, males p=0.0001). There was a strong negative correlation between serum oxytocin levels and door opening time of helping behavior equipment, and moderate negative correlation was found between the brain oxytocin levels and door-opening time of helping behavior equipment in females. However, there was no correlation between both the brain and serum oxytocin levels and empathy behavior in males. But there were very strong positive correlations between low anxiety indicators and both the brain and serum oxytocin levels in both the genders. Conclusion: Voluntary physical activity decreases anxiety and increases empathy-like behavior in mice; which is associated with increased oxytocin levels in female mice but not in male mice. Further research is required to investigate the mechanisms of exercise effect on anxiety and empathic brain pathways in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oğuz Yüksel
- Department of Sports Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ateş
- College of Vocational School of Health Services, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Servet Kızıldağ
- College of Vocational School of Health Services, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Yüce
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Başar Koç
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sevim Kandiş
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Güven Güvendi
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aslı Karakılıç
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hikmet Gümüş
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey,Dokuz Eylül University School of Sport Sciences and Technology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Nazan Uysal
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
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26
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Knight LK, Stoica T, Fogleman ND, Depue BE. Convergent Neural Correlates of Empathy and Anxiety During Socioemotional Processing. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:94. [PMID: 30949039 PMCID: PMC6438321 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Empathy is characterized by the ability to understand and share an emotional experience with another person and is closely tied to compassion and concern for others. Consequently, this increased emotional awareness and sensitivity may also be related to increased anxiety. Taken from another perspective, higher general anxiety may translate into increased concern for others, or concern for how one's actions might affect others, and therefore may be linked to increased empathy. Furthermore, self-reflection is positively related to perspective-taking and empathic concern, while rumination is closely tied to anxiety, thus providing an additional connecting point between empathy and anxiety through enhanced internally generated thought. While previous literature suggests a relationship between empathy and anxiety, this has yet to be empirically studied using neuroimaging tools aimed at investigating the underlying neural correlates that may support these convergent responses. We therefore conducted an functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study (N = 49) in which participants viewed fearful and neutral human faces and rated how the faces made them feel, to promote introspection. Participants also completed questionnaires assessing empathy Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ), trait anxiety State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), worry Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and rumination Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS). Behaviorally, empathy positively correlated with worry, worry and rumination positively correlated with anxiety, and significant indirect relationships were found between empathy and anxiety through worry and rumination. Using the neuroimaging face processing task as a backdrop on which the neurobiological mechanisms of empathy and anxiety may interact, regressions of questionnaires with brain activations revealed that empathy related to activation in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), anxiety related to bilateral insula activation, and worry related to medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activation, while rumination showed increased engagement of all three aforementioned regions. Functional connectivity (FC) analyses showed increased communication between the left amygdala and insula related to higher empathy, worry and rumination. Finally, whole-brain analysis using median split groups from questionnaires revealed that the lower halves of anxiety, worry and rumination exhibited increased activation in top-down attentional networks. In sum, empathy, worry and rumination related to enhanced bottom-up processing, while worry, rumination and anxiety exhibited decreased top-down attentional control, suggesting an indirect relationship between empathy and anxiety through the ruminative tendencies of worry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay K Knight
- Interdisciplinary Program in Translational Neuroscience (IPTN), University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Teodora Stoica
- Interdisciplinary Program in Translational Neuroscience (IPTN), University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Nicholas D Fogleman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Brendan E Depue
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
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27
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Empathy in informal dementia caregivers and its relationship with depression, anxiety, and burden. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2018; 19:12-21. [PMID: 30619493 PMCID: PMC6300763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Objective: Recent interventions aim to heighten informal caregivers’ empathy levels assuming that this will lead to better well-being. However, previous studies have explored linear associations between empathy and aspects of well-being and yielded mixed results. We hypothesized that quadratic models may be more fitting to describe these relationships. Method: A cross-sectional study, with two groups (201 informal caregivers, and 187 non-caregivers) was conducted. Participants completed questionnaires on cognitive and affective empathy, and depression, anxiety, and caregiver burden. AN(C)OVA's and multiple hierarchical regression analyses including linear and quadratic terms were used to analyze the data. Results: For caregivers, there was a negative quadratic relationship between depression and cognitive empathy, and a positive linear relationship between anxiety and affective empathy, irrespective of sociodemographic characteristics. For non-caregivers, there were positive quadratic relationships between depression and cognitive and affective empathy, and between anxiety and affective empathy. The empathy levels did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: While caregivers and non-caregivers had the same amount of empathy, the relationships between empathy and depression and anxiety differed between the groups. Interventions for informal caregivers could aim to heighten cognitive empathy and to lower affective empathy to diminish depression and anxiety symptoms.
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28
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Karakilic A, Kizildag S, Kandis S, Guvendi G, Koc B, Camsari GB, Camsari UM, Ates M, Arda SG, Uysal N. The effects of acute foot shock stress on empathy levels in rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 349:31-36. [PMID: 29709611 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Empathy defined as the ability to understand and the share the feelings, thoughts, and attitudes of another, is an important skill in survival and reproduction. Among many factors that affect empathy include psychological stress, anxiety states. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of acute psychological stress on empathic behavior and its association with oxytocin and vasopressin levels in amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Rats were subjected to 0.2 mA (low) and 1.6 mA (high) intensity of foot shock stress for duration of 20 min. Empathic behavior was found to be improved as a response to low intensity stress, but not to high intensity stress. As a response to lower intensity stress, vasopressin was increased in prefrontal cortex and amygdala; oxytocin was increased in only prefrontal cortex, and corticosterone levels increased in general. Anxiety indicators did not change in low intensity stress group yet; high intensity stress group demonstrated a lesser degree of anxiety response. High intensity stress group stayed unexpectedly more active in middle area of elevated plus maze test equipment, which may support impaired executive decision making abilities in the setting of high anxiety states. Further research is needed to investigate gender effects, the role of dopaminergic system and other stress related pathways in acute stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslı Karakilic
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Servet Kizildag
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Vocational School of Health Services, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sevim Kandis
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Guven Guvendi
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Basar Koc
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gamze B Camsari
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea, MN, USA
| | - Ulas M Camsari
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mehmet Ates
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Vocational School of Health Services, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sevil Gonenc Arda
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nazan Uysal
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
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29
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Abstract
The future harbours the potential for myriad threats to the fitness of organisms, and many species prepare accordingly based on indicators of hazards. Here, we distinguish between defensive responses on the basis of sensed cues and those based on autocues generated by mental simulations of the future in humans. Whereas sensed threat cues usually induce specific responses with reference to particular features of the environment or generalized responses to protect against diffuse threats, autocues generated by mental simulations of the future enable strategic preparation for hazards that may not require an immediate response. The overlap of these mechanisms makes defence effective and versatile, yet can manifest as contemporary anxiety disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beyon Miloyan
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA and School of Psychology and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Federation University, Australia
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