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Park Y, Coccia MA, Prather AA, Epel ES. Maternal caregiving stress and metabolic health: Sexual activity as a potential buffer. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 167:107068. [PMID: 38820717 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107068] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Chronic stress lead to dysregulation of metabolic hormones, creating risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Based on previous work suggesting the potential for sexual activity to relieve psychological stress and reduce stress-related neuroendocrine activity, the present research explored sexual activity as a protective factor. We focused on chronic stress in the form of caregiving stress, comparing premenopausal mothers of a child with an autism spectrum disorder vs. a neurotypical child, in relation to metabolic hormones - insulin (and insulin resistance as assessed by HOMA), leptin, and ghrelin. Then, we explored the moderating role of sexual activity. Our results showed that high-stress mothers showed higher levels of insulin, insulin resistance, and lower levels of ghrelin compared to low-stress mothers. However, sexual activity modulated these associations such that among mothers who were sexually active (as coded from their daily diaries), no significant differences in these outcomes were observed between groups. This buffering effect of sexual activity was distinguishable from the buffering effect of physical activity and independent of global relationship satisfaction. Together, our findings provide novel evidence supporting the potential protective effects of sexual activity from chronic stress-related metabolic disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoobin Park
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, 675 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
| | - Michael A Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, 675 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
| | - Aric A Prather
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, 675 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, 675 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
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2
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Fotinos K, Sansone A, Greifenberger A, Katzman MA, Jannini TB, Reisman Y, Limoncin E, Jannini EA. Pornography and sexual function in the post-pandemic period: a narrative review from psychological, psychiatric, and sexological perspectives. Int J Impot Res 2024:10.1038/s41443-023-00812-3. [PMID: 38184709 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-023-00812-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns had significant impacts on sexual functioning and behavior. Partnered sexual activity decreased overall, while solo sex activities such as masturbation and pornography consumption increased exponentially. Given the ongoing debate about the effects of pornography on sexual function, it was prudent to consider how the increase in porn consumption during the pandemic might have impacted sexual function in the post-pandemic period. Results indicated that despite the increased rates of use during lockdowns, there remains no evidence supporting the relationship between sexual dysfunction and porn use during and following the pandemic period. On the contrary, pornography consumption and solo sex activities offered an alternative to conventional sexual behavior during a highly stressful period and were found to have positive effects of relieving psychosocial stress otherwise induced by the pandemic. Specifically, those who maintained an active sexual life experienced less anxiety and depression, and greater relational health than those who were not sexually active. It is important to consider factors including frequency, context, and type of consumption when analyzing the impact of pornography on sexual function. While excessive use can have negative effects, moderate use can be a natural and healthy part of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Fotinos
- Course of Clinical Psychosexology, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Stress Trauma Anxiety Rehabilitation Treatment (S.T.A.R.T.) Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea Sansone
- Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alexandria Greifenberger
- Stress Trauma Anxiety Rehabilitation Treatment (S.T.A.R.T.) Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin A Katzman
- Stress Trauma Anxiety Rehabilitation Treatment (S.T.A.R.T.) Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Adler Graduate Professional School, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Tommaso B Jannini
- School of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Erika Limoncin
- Course of Clinical Psychosexology, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuele A Jannini
- Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Dutcher JM. Brain Reward Circuits Promote Stress Resilience and Health: Implications for Reward-Based Interventions. CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023; 32:65-72. [PMID: 37234195 PMCID: PMC10211312 DOI: 10.1177/09637214221121770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
From the COVID-19 global pandemic to racial injustice and the continued impact of climate change on communities across the globe, the last couple of years have demonstrated the need for a greater understanding of how to protect people from the negative consequences of stress. Here, I outline a perspective on how the brain's reward system might be an important, but often understudied, protective mechanism for stress resilience and stress-related health outcomes. I describe work suggesting that reward system engagement inhibits the stress response and is associated with improved health outcomes including reduced depressive symptomatology and slowed cancer progression. I then highlight important future directions for translational research and illustrate the value of this perspective for improving behavioral interventions in clinical psychology and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine M Dutcher
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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Shi P, Hu L, Ren H, Dai Q. Reward enhances resilience to chronic social defeat stress in mice: Neural ECs and mGluR5 mechanism via neuroprotection in VTA and DRN. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1084367. [PMID: 36873216 PMCID: PMC9978385 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1084367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stress often leads to emotional disorders such as depression. The reward might render this effect through the enhancement of stress resilience. However, the effect of reward on stress resilience under different intensities of stress needs more evidence, and its potential neural mechanism has been poorly revealed. It has been reported that the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECs) and downstream metabolic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) are closely related to stress and reward, which might be the potential cerebral mechanism between reward and stress resilience, but there is a lack of direct evidence. This study aims to observe the effect of reward on stress resilience under different intensities of stress and further explore potential cerebral mechanisms underlying this effect. METHODS Using the chronic social defeat stress model, we applied reward (accompanied by a female mouse) under different intensities of stress in mice during the modeling process. The impact of reward on stress resilience and the potential cerebral mechanism were observed after modeling through behavioral tests and biomolecules. RESULTS The results showed that stronger stress led to higher degrees of depression-like behavior. Reward reduced depression-like behavior and enhanced stress resilience (all p-value <0.05) (more social interaction in the social test, less immobility time in the forced swimming test, etc.), with a stronger effect under the large stress. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of CB1 and mGluR5, the protein expression level of mGluR5, and the expression level of 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) in both ventral tegmental area (VTA) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) were significantly upregulated by reward after modeling (all p-value <0.05). However, the protein expression of CB1 in VTA and DRN and the expression of AEA (anandamide) in VTA did not differ significantly between groups. Intraperitoneal injection of a CB1 agonist (URB-597) during social defeat stress significantly reduced depression-like behavior compared with a CB1 inhibitor (AM251) (all p-value <0.05). Interestingly, in DRN, the expression of AEA in the stress group was lower than that of the control group, with or without reward (all p-value <0.05). DISCUSSION These findings demonstrate that combined social and sexual reward has a positive effect on stress resilience during chronic social defeat stress, potentially by influencing the ECs and mGluR5 in VTA and DRN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixia Shi
- Department of Medical Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Neurology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Linlin Hu
- Department of Neurology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Ren
- Department of Nursing Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qin Dai
- Department of Medical Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Nursing Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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5
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Yang Z, Wildschut T, Izuma K, Gu R, Luo YLL, Cai H, Sedikides C. Patterns of brain activity associated with nostalgia: a social-cognitive neuroscience perspective. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2022; 17:1131-1144. [PMID: 35560158 PMCID: PMC9714426 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Nostalgia arises from tender and yearnful reflection on meaningful life events or important persons from one's past. In the last two decades, the literature has documented a variety of ways in which nostalgia benefits psychological well-being. Only a handful of studies, however, have addressed the neural basis of the emotion. In this prospective review, we postulate a neural model of nostalgia. Self-reflection, autobiographical memory, regulatory capacity and reward are core components of the emotion. Thus, nostalgia involves brain activities implicated in self-reflection processing (medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus), autobiographical memory processing (hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus), emotion regulation processing (anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex) and reward processing (striatum, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area and ventromedial prefrontal cortex). Nostalgia's potential to modulate activity in these core neural substrates has both theoretical and applied implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Yang
- Correspondence should be addressed to Huajian Cai, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing 100101, China. E-mail:
| | - Tim Wildschut
- Center for Research on Self and Identity, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Keise Izuma
- School of Economics and Management, Kochi University of Technology, Kochi 780-8515, Japan
| | - Ruolei Gu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu L L Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huajian Cai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Constantine Sedikides
- Center for Research on Self and Identity, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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Abstract
Anhedonia is a core feature of psychopathological conditions that have recent exposure to stress and trauma as central to their etiology. Indeed, evolutionary accounts of depression suggest that decreased motivation to pursue reward may be an adaptive strategy in the face of social stress, in particular, as it may serve to defuse interpersonal conflict. Through a review of rodent models and research with humans, we show that exposure to stress, particularly when it is chronic, repeated, and/or involves themes of social rejection or defeat, is consistently associated with reduced hedonic capacity ("liking"), motivation to pursue reward ("wanting"), and ability to learn from reward ("reward learning"). Further, across rodent and human research, there is evidence that females show greater stress-induced blunting of reward processing than males. In humans, this sex difference emerges most strongly when examining individual differences in the stress response rather than group differences in stress exposure. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the etiology of, and sex differences in, stress-related psychopathology, including depression and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Harkness
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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7
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Gallo LMH, Giampietro V, Zunszain PA, Tan KS. Covid-19 and Mental Health: Could Visual Art Exposure Help? Front Psychol 2021; 12:650314. [PMID: 33995207 PMCID: PMC8119628 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.650314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A worldwidemental health crisis is expected, as millions worldwide fear death and disease while being forced into repeated isolation. Thus, there is a need for new proactive approaches to improve mental resilience and prevent mental health conditions. Since the 1990s, art has emerged as an alternative mental health therapy in the United States and Europe, becoming part of the social care agenda. This article focuses on how visual esthetic experiences can create similar patterns of neuronal activity as those observed when the reward system is activated. The activation of the reward structures could have a stress buffering effect, given the interdependence observed between the reward and stress systems. Therefore, could visual esthetic experiences stimulate mental resilience? And if this were the case, could art-based interventions be offered for mental health in the context of COVID-19 and beyond?
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. H. Gallo
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Giampietro
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia A. Zunszain
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kai Syng Tan
- Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
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8
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Kirby M. Pornography and its impact on the sexual health of men. TRENDS IN UROLOGY & MEN'S HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/tre.791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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9
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Vidal-Ribas P, Benson B, Vitale AD, Keren H, Harrewijn A, Fox NA, Pine DS, Stringaris A. Bidirectional Associations Between Stress and Reward Processing in Children and Adolescents: A Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:893-901. [PMID: 31324591 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrations in both neural reward processing and stress reactivity are associated with increased risk for mental illness; yet, how these two factors relate to each other remains unclear. Several studies suggest that stress exposure impacts reward function, thus increasing risk for psychopathology. However, the alternative hypothesis, in which reward dysfunction impacts stress reactivity, has been rarely examined. The current study aimed to test both hypotheses using a longitudinal design. METHODS Participants were 38 children (23 girls; 61%) from a prospective cohort study. A standard stress-exposure measure was collected at 7 years of age. Children performed a well-validated imaging reward paradigm at age 10, and a standardized acute psychological stress laboratory protocol was administered both at age 10 and at age 13. Structural equation modeling was used to examine bidirectional associations between stress and neural response to reward anticipation. RESULTS Higher exposure to stressful life events at age 7 predicted lower neural response to reward anticipation in regions of the basal ganglia at age 10, which included ventral caudate, nucleus accumbens, putamen, and globus pallidus. Lower response to reward anticipation in medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex predicted higher stress reactivity at age 13. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide support for bidirectional associations between stress and reward processing, in that stress may impact reward anticipation, but also in that reduced reward anticipation may increase susceptibility to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Vidal-Ribas
- Mood Brain and Development Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Brenda Benson
- Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Aria D Vitale
- Mood Brain and Development Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hanna Keren
- Mood Brain and Development Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Anita Harrewijn
- Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nathan A Fox
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Argyris Stringaris
- Mood Brain and Development Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Harris SJ, Papathanassoglou EDE, Gee M, Hampshaw SM, Lindgren L, Haywood A. Interpersonal touch interventions for patients in intensive care: A design-oriented realist review. Nurs Open 2019; 6:216-235. [PMID: 30918674 PMCID: PMC6419112 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To develop a theoretical framework to inform the design of interpersonal touch interventions intended to reduce stress in adult intensive care unit patients. DESIGN Realist review with an intervention design-oriented approach. METHODS We searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science and grey literature sources without date restrictions. Subject experts suggested additional articles. Evidence synthesis drew on diverse sources of literature and was conducted iteratively with theory testing. We consulted stakeholders to focus the review. We performed systematic searches to corroborate our developing theoretical framework. RESULTS We present a theoretical framework based around six intervention construction principles. Theory testing provided some evidence in favour of treatment repetition, dynamic over static touch and lightening sedation. A lack of empirical evidence was identified for construction principles relating to intensity and positive/negative evaluation of emotional experience, moderate pressure touch for sedated patients and intervention delivery by relatives versus healthcare practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sansha J. Harris
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR)University of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | | | - Melanie Gee
- Faculty of Health and WellbeingSheffield Hallam UniversitySheffieldUK
| | - Susan M. Hampshaw
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR)University of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | | | - Annette Haywood
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR)University of SheffieldSheffieldUK
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11
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Dutcher JM, Creswell JD. The role of brain reward pathways in stress resilience and health. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:559-567. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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12
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Smith AM, Thomas AK. Reducing the Consequences of Acute Stress on Memory Retrieval. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN MEMORY AND COGNITION 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jarmac.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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13
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Dutcher JM, Creswell JD, Pacilio LE, Harris PR, Klein WMP, Levine JM, Bower JE, Muscatell KA, Eisenberger NI. Self-Affirmation Activates the Ventral Striatum. Psychol Sci 2016; 27:455-66. [DOI: 10.1177/0956797615625989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-affirmation (reflecting on important personal values) has been shown to have a range of positive effects; however, the neural basis of self-affirmation is not known. Building on studies showing that thinking about self-preferences activates neural reward pathways, we hypothesized that self-affirmation would activate brain reward circuitry during functional MRI (fMRI) studies. In Study 1, with college students, making judgments about important personal values during self-affirmation activated neural reward regions (i.e., ventral striatum), whereas making preference judgments that were not self-relevant did not. Study 2 replicated these results in a community sample, again showing that self-affirmation activated the ventral striatum. These are among the first fMRI studies to identify neural processes during self-affirmation. The findings extend theory by showing that self-affirmation may be rewarding and may provide a first step toward identifying a neural mechanism by which self-affirmation may produce a wide range of beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Julienne E. Bower
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, University of California, Los Angeles
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Keely A. Muscatell
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholars Program, University of California, San Francisco, and University of California, Berkeley
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14
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Meyer VJ, Lee Y, Böttger C, Leonbacher U, Allison AL, Shirtcliff EA. Experience, cortisol reactivity, and the coordination of emotional responses to skydiving. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:138. [PMID: 25859199 PMCID: PMC4373275 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Physiological habituation to laboratory stressors has previously been demonstrated, although the literature remains equivocal. Previous studies have found skydiving to be a salient naturalistic stressor that elicits a robust subjective and physiological stress response. However, it is uncertain whether (or how) stress reactivity habituates to this stressor given that skydiving remains a risky, life-threatening challenge with every jump despite experience. While multiple components of the stress response have been documented, it is unclear whether an individual’s subjective emotions are related to their physiological responses. Documenting coordinated responsivity would lend insight into shared underlying mechanisms for the nature of habituation of both subjective (emotion) and objective (cortisol) stress responses. Therefore, we examined subjective emotion and cortisol responses in first-time compared to experienced skydivers in a predominantly male sample (total n = 44; males = 32, females = 12). Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that experienced skydivers showed less reactivity and faster recovery compared to first-time skydivers. Subjective emotions were coordinated with physiological responses primarily within first-time skydivers. Pre-jump anxiety predicted cortisol reactivity within first-time, but not experienced, skydivers. Higher post-jump happiness predicted faster cortisol recovery after jumping although this effect overlapped somewhat with the effect of experience. Results suggest that experience may modulate the coordination of emotional response with cortisol reactivity to skydiving. Prior experience does not appear to extinguish the stress response but rather alters the individual’s engagement of the HPA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa J Meyer
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University Ames, IA, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, Tulane University New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Yoojin Lee
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University Ames, IA, USA
| | - Christian Böttger
- Department of Social Psychology, University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria ; Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Uwe Leonbacher
- Department of Social Psychology, University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria ; Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Amber L Allison
- Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA, USA
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15
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Creswell JD, Pacilio LE, Lindsay EK, Brown KW. Brief mindfulness meditation training alters psychological and neuroendocrine responses to social evaluative stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 44:1-12. [PMID: 24767614 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test whether a brief mindfulness meditation training intervention buffers self-reported psychological and neuroendocrine responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in young adult volunteers. A second objective evaluates whether pre-existing levels of dispositional mindfulness moderate the effects of brief mindfulness meditation training on stress reactivity. METHODS Sixty-six (N=66) participants were randomly assigned to either a brief 3-day (25-min per day) mindfulness meditation training or an analytic cognitive training control program. All participants completed a standardized laboratory social-evaluative stress challenge task (the TSST) following the third mindfulness meditation or cognitive training session. Measures of psychological (stress perceptions) and biological (salivary cortisol, blood pressure) stress reactivity were collected during the social evaluative stress-challenge session. RESULTS Brief mindfulness meditation training reduced self-reported psychological stress reactivity but increased salivary cortisol reactivity to the TSST, relative to the cognitive training comparison program. Participants who were low in pre-existing levels of dispositional mindfulness and then received mindfulness meditation training had the greatest cortisol reactivity to the TSST. No significant main or interactive effects were observed for systolic or diastolic blood pressure reactivity to the TSST. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides an initial indication that brief mindfulness meditation training buffers self-reported psychological stress reactivity, but also increases cortisol reactivity to social evaluative stress. This pattern may indicate that initially brief mindfulness meditation training fosters greater active coping efforts, resulting in reduced psychological stress appraisals and greater cortisol reactivity during social evaluative stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J David Creswell
- Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Laura E Pacilio
- Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Emily K Lindsay
- Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kirk Warren Brown
- Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA
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16
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Polheber JP, Matchock RL. The presence of a dog attenuates cortisol and heart rate in the Trier Social Stress Test compared to human friends. J Behav Med 2013; 37:860-7. [PMID: 24170391 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-013-9546-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Limited research has addressed how social support in the form of a pet can affect both sympathetic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reactivity in response to a psychological challenge. The present study examined the effects of social support on salivary cortisol and heart rate (HR). Forty-eight participants were randomly assigned to three different conditions (human friend, novel dog, or control). All participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test and provided cortisol, HR, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory measures. For participants paired with a dog, overall cortisol levels were attenuated throughout the experimental procedure, and HR was attenuated during the Trier Social Stress Test. For all groups, state anxiety increased after the Trier Social Stress Test, and HR during the Trier Social Stress Test was a predictor of cortisol. These results suggest that short-term exposure to a novel dog in an unfamiliar setting can be beneficial. They also suggest a possible mechanism for the beneficial effect associated with affiliation with pets.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Polheber
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA, 16601, USA,
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