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Exner A, Kampa M, Finke JB, Stalder T, Klapperich H, Hassenzahl M, Kleinke K, Klucken T. Repressive and vigilant coping styles in stress and relaxation: evidence for physiological and subjective differences at baseline, but not for differential stress or relaxation responses. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1196481. [PMID: 37720657 PMCID: PMC10502326 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1196481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Previous research suggested differential stress reactivity depending on individuals' coping style, e.g., as classified by the model of coping modes. Specifically, stronger physiological reactivity and weaker subjective stress ratings were found for repressors than for sensitizers. However, it remains to be investigated (i) whether these findings, which are largely based on social stress induction protocols, also generalize to other stressors, (ii) whether repressors vs. sensitizers also exhibit differential stress recovery following the application of a relaxation method, and (iii) which stress reactivity and recovery patterns are seen for the two remaining coping styles, i.e., fluctuating, and non-defensive copers. The current study thus examines stress reactivity in physiology and subjective ratings to a non-social stressor and the subsequent ability to relax for the four coping groups of repressors, sensitizers, fluctuating, and non-defensive copers. Methods A total of 96 healthy participants took part in a stress induction (Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test) and a subsequent relaxation intervention. Subjective ratings of stress and relaxation, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure were assessed during the experiment. HR and blood pressure are markers of the sympathetic stress response that can be regulated by relaxation, while HRV should increase with relaxation. To investigate long-term relaxation effects, subjective ratings were also assessed on the evening of testing. Results Despite successful stress induction, no differential responses (baseline to stress, stress to relaxation) were observed between the different coping groups on any of the measures. In contrast, a strong baseline effect was observed that persisted throughout the experiment: In general, fluctuating copers showed lower HR and higher HRV than non-defensive copers, whereas repressors reported lower subjective stress levels and higher levels of relaxation during all study phases. No differences in subjective ratings were observed in the evening of testing. Conclusion Contrary to previous research, no differential stress reactivity pattern was observed between coping groups, which could be due to the non-social type of stressor employed in this study. The novel finding of physiological baseline differences between fluctuating and non-defensive individuals is of interest and should be further investigated in other stressor types in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Exner
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Miriam Kampa
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Johannes B. Finke
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Tobias Stalder
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Holger Klapperich
- Ubiquitous Design/Experience and Interaction, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Marc Hassenzahl
- Ubiquitous Design/Experience and Interaction, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Kristian Kleinke
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Tim Klucken
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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Günther V, Strukova M, Pecher J, Webelhorst C, Engelmann S, Kersting A, Hoffmann KT, Egloff B, Okon-Singer H, Lobsien D, Suslow T. Cognitive Avoidance Is Associated with Decreased Brain Responsiveness to Threat Distractors under High Perceptual Load. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040618. [PMID: 37190583 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040618] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive coping strategies to deal with anxiety-provoking events have an impact on mental and physical health. Dispositional vigilance is characterized by an increased analysis of the threatening environment, whereas cognitive avoidance comprises strategies to inhibit threat processing. To date, functional neuroimaging studies on the neural underpinnings of these coping styles are scarce and have revealed discrepant findings. In the present study, we examined automatic brain responsiveness as a function of coping styles using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We administered a perceptual load paradigm with contemptuous and fearful faces as distractor stimuli in a sample of N = 43 healthy participants. The Mainz Coping Inventory was used to assess cognitive avoidance and vigilance. An association of cognitive avoidance with reduced contempt and fear processing under high perceptual load was observed in a widespread network including the amygdala, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, insula, and frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital areas. Our findings indicate that the dispositional tendency to divert one's attention away from distressing stimuli is a valuable predictor of diminished automatic neural responses to threat in several cortical and subcortical areas. A reduced processing in brain regions involved in emotion perception and attention might indicate a potential threat resilience associated with cognitive avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Günther
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mariia Strukova
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jonas Pecher
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carolin Webelhorst
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Engelmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karl-Titus Hoffmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Boris Egloff
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hadas Okon-Singer
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3100000, Israel
| | - Donald Lobsien
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Suslow
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Oskis A, Smyth N, Flynn M, Clow A. Repressors exhibit lower cortisol reactivity to group psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 103:33-40. [PMID: 30639935 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.12.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Repressors are well-known to monitor potential psychosocial threats to their self-esteem and self-concept. In research, repressors are traditionally categorised as those scoring low on trait anxiety and high on defensiveness (as measured by social desirability scales). Examining repressors' cortisol reactivity to a group socio-evaluative laboratory stressor could be an important way to extend work on the classic 'repressor dissociation', which proposes that this group experience higher levels of physiological stress, but lower levels of subjective affect, during stressful situations. Research however has focused mainly on repressors' higher, more risk-prone levels of autonomic, rather than hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA), reactivity to stressful stimuli. We assessed cortisol reactivity using a group-based acute psychosocial stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test for groups (TSST-G), which required participants to individually perform public speaking and mental arithmetic tasks in front of up to six other group members, as well as an evaluative panel of judges. Seventy-seven healthy young females (mean age ± SD: 20.2 ± 3.2 years) took part, of which 64 met the conventional criterion for a response to the TSST-G (<15.5% increase from baseline sample). The Stress-Arousal Checklist was completed pre- and post-TSST-G. Participants also completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Marlow-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. The latter two measures were used to provide a categorisation of repressive coping style. Participants identified as repressive copers exhibited significantly lower cortisol reactivity during the TSST-G. Repressors also self-reported less subjective stress. These findings provide some evidence against the notion of the repressor dissociation and are discussed in terms of how cortisol hyporeactivity may be a pathway through which repressive coping adversely affects health.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Oskis
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, NW4 4BT, UK.
| | - N Smyth
- Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK
| | - M Flynn
- Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK
| | - A Clow
- Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK
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Jensen-Johansen MB, O’Toole MS, Christensen S, Valdimarsdottir H, Zakowski S, Bovbjerg DH, Jensen AB, Zachariae R. Expressive writing intervention and self-reported physical health out-comes - Results from a nationwide randomized controlled trial with breast cancer patients. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192729. [PMID: 29474441 PMCID: PMC5825018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective was to examine the effect of Expressive Writing Intervention (EWI) on self-reported physical symptoms and healthcare utilization in a nationwide randomized controlled trial with Danish women treated for primary breast cancer, and to explore participant characteristics related to emotion regulation as possible moderators of the effect. Women who had recently completed treatment for primary breast cancer (n = 507) were randomly assigned to three 20 min. home-based writing exercises, one week apart, focusing on emotional disclosure (EWI) of a distressing experience (their cancer or a non-cancer topic) or a non-disclosing topic (control). Outcomes were self-reported physical symptoms and healthcare utilization (visits and telephone contacts with GP) 3 and 9 months post-intervention. Potential moderators were repressive coping, alexithymia, rumination, social constraints, and writing topic. Results revealed no group by time interaction effects for any outcomes. Moderation analyses showed that 1) low alexithymic women in the EWI group showed larger decreases in GP telephone calls over time than both high alexithymic women and controls and 2) women in the EWI group writing about their own cancer, but not women writing about other topics, showed a larger decrease than controls. The results from this large randomized trial are concordant with previous findings showing that EWI is unlikely to be a generally applicable intervention to improve health-related outcomes in cancer patients and cancer survivors. However, written disclosure might have a beneficial impact for individuals who write about their own cancer, as well as for those low in alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mia S. O’Toole
- Unit for Psychooncology and Health Psychology, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Psychology and Behavioural Science, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Søren Christensen
- Unit for Psychooncology and Health Psychology, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Psychology and Behavioural Science, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Heiddis Valdimarsdottir
- Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Sandra Zakowski
- Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Dana H. Bovbjerg
- Biobehavioral Oncology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Departments of: Psychiatry, Psychology, Behavioral Community Health Sciences and Health & Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Anders B. Jensen
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Robert Zachariae
- Unit for Psychooncology and Health Psychology, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Psychology and Behavioural Science, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
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Mohiyeddini C. Repressive coping among British college women: A potential protective factor against body image concerns, drive for thinness, and bulimia symptoms. Body Image 2017; 22:39-47. [PMID: 28601701 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Repressive coping, as a means of preserving a positive self-image, has been widely explored in the context of dealing with self-evaluative cues. The current study extends this research by exploring whether repressive coping is associated with lower levels of body image concerns, drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, and higher positive rational acceptance. A sample of 229 female college students was recruited in South London. Repressive coping was measured via the interaction between trait anxiety and defensiveness. The results of moderated regression analysis with simple slope analysis show that compared to non-repressors, repressors reported lower levels of body image concerns, drive for thinness, and bulimic symptoms while exhibiting a higher use of positive rational acceptance. These findings, in line with previous evidence, suggest that repressive coping may be adaptive particularly in the context of body image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changiz Mohiyeddini
- Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, 413 International Village, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Souza GGL, Mendonça-de-Souza ACF, Duarte AFA, Fischer NL, Souza WF, Coutinho ESF, Figueira I, Volchan E. Blunted cardiac reactivity to psychological stress associated with higher trait anxiety: a study in peacekeepers. BMC Neurosci 2015; 16:81. [PMID: 26597843 PMCID: PMC4657323 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-015-0216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Both exaggerated and diminished reactivity to stress can be maladaptive. Previous studies have shown that performing increasingly difficult tasks leads first to increased reactivity and then to a blunted response when success is impossible. Our aim was to investigate the influence of trait anxiety on cardiac and cortisol response to and recovery from a standardized psychosocial stress task (Trier Social Stress Task) in a homogeneous sample of healthy peacekeepers. We hypothesized that participants with higher trait anxiety would show blunted reactivity during the performance of an overwhelmingly difficult and stressful task. Participants (N = 50) delivered a speech and performed an arithmetic task in the presence of critical evaluators. Cortisol samples and electrocardiogram data were collected. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—Trait version, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist—Civilian Version (PCL-C) and the Military Peace Force Stressor Inventory. Results For heart rate, the findings showed that peacekeepers with higher trait anxiety reacted less to the speech task (p = 0.03) and to the arithmetic task (p = 0.008) than those with lower trait anxiety. Trait anxiety did not modulate cortisol responses to the task. Despite the high trait anxiety group having higher PCL-C scores than the low trait anxiety group (p < 0.0001), this did not influence the cardiac results. Conclusions We concluded that individuals with higher trait anxiety had less tachycardia in response to acute psychological stress than those with lower trait anxiety. The present results point to a higher risk for more anxious individuals of a maladaptive reaction to stressful events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nastassja Lopes Fischer
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Ivan Figueira
- Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Eliane Volchan
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Gebhardt C, Rose N, Mitte K. Fact or artefact: an item response theory analysis of median split based repressor classification. Br J Health Psychol 2013; 19:36-51. [PMID: 23379417 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Revised: 01/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many studies have investigated the phenomenon of repression. Repressors are defined as individuals who deny or avoid the experience of negative affect. A common method for the identification of repressors is a median split approach using questionnaires that measure anxiety and social desirability. The present study aimed to evaluate this most frequently used procedure using a psychometric model. DESIGN We applied item response theory using model assumptions comparable with those of the median split approach to detect repressors and examine the appropriateness of the median split procedure. METHODS A mixed sample of 655 students and members of the general public completed the two scales usually used to identify repressors, namely the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. RESULTS Employing item response theory mixture-model analyses, we were unable to replicate the median split solution on a latent level. CONCLUSIONS Our results did not support the identification of repressors via dichotomization of the two scales. The median split approach does not appear to detect repressors satisfactorily. The implications of the results for the conceptualization and assessment of repressors are discussed.
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The interactive effect of change in perceived stress and trait anxiety on vagal recovery from cognitive challenge. Int J Psychophysiol 2011; 82:225-32. [PMID: 21945037 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2011.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2010] [Revised: 08/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study tested the hypothesis that the change in state negative affect (measured as perceived stress) after cognitive challenge moderates the relationship of trait anxiety and anger to vagal recovery from that challenge. Cardiac vagal control (assessed using heart rate variability) and respiratory rate were measured in a sample of 905 participants from the Midlife in the United States Study. Cognitive challenges consisted of computerized mental arithmetic and Stroop color-word matching tasks. Multiple regression analyses controlling for the effects of the demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors influencing cardiac vagal control showed a significant moderating effect of change in perceived stress on the relationship of trait anxiety to vagal recovery from cognitive challenges (Beta=.253, p=.013). After adjustment for respiratory rate, this effect became marginally significant (Beta=.177, p=.037). In contrast, for the relationship of trait anger to vagal recovery, this effect was not significant either before (Beta=.141, p=.257) or after (Beta=.186, p=.072) adjusting for respiratory rate. Secondary analyses revealed that among the individuals with higher levels of trait anxiety, greater reductions in perceived stress were associated with greater increases in cardiac vagal control after the challenge. In contrast, among the individuals with lower levels of trait anxiety, changes in perceived stress had no impact on vagal recovery. Therefore, change in perceived stress moderates the relationship of trait anxiety, but not trait anger, to vagal recovery from cognitive challenge.
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Skovbjerg S, Zachariae R, Rasmussen A, Johansen JD, Elberling J. Repressive coping and alexithymia in idiopathic environmental intolerance. Environ Health Prev Med 2010; 15:299-310. [PMID: 21432559 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-010-0143-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine if the non-expression of negative emotions (i.e., repressive coping) and differences in the ability to process and regulate emotions (i.e., alexithymia) is associated with idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI). METHODS The study included participants who had previously participated in a general population-based study and reported symptoms of environmental intolerance (n = 787) and patients with IEI (n = 237). The participants completed questionnaires assessing IEI, namely, a measure of repressive coping combining scores on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS) and the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and a negative affectivity scale (NAS). Multiple, hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted using IEI variables as the dependent variables. RESULTS The TMAS and MCSDS scores were independently associated with the IEI variables, but there was no evidence of a role of the repressive coping construct. While the total alexithymia score was unrelated to IEI, the TAS-20 subscale of difficulties identifying feelings (DIF) was independently associated with symptoms attributed to IEI. Negative affectivity was a strong independent predictor of the IEI variables and a mediator of the association between DIF and IEI. CONCLUSION Our results provide no evidence for a role of repressive coping in IEI, and our hypothesis of an association with alexithymia was only partly supported. In contrast, strong associations between IEI and negative emotional reactions, defensiveness and difficulties identifying feelings were found, suggesting a need for exploring the influence of these emotional reactions in IEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sine Skovbjerg
- The Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 40, 2.th, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark.
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Myers LB. The importance of the repressive coping style: findings from 30 years of research. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2010; 23:3-17. [PMID: 19859847 DOI: 10.1080/10615800903366945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
During the last three decades there has been substantial research exploring the repressive coping style as defined by Weinberger, Schwartz, and Davidson. As "repressors," who score low on trait anxiety and high on defensiveness, account for up to 50% of certain populations, they are an essential group for psychologists to study. However, there are methodological issues in identifying repressors as well as considerable evidence that repressors avoid negative self-relevant information. Possible methods of addressing these difficulties are discussed in this review. Importantly, there is a body of evidence linking repressive coping and poor physical health, including heart disease and cancer. However, some preliminary findings suggest that repressors compared to non-repressors may be better at health behaviors that they perceive as under their personal control. This needs more extensive investigation as such behaviors are only one aspect of health and other factors may contribute to repressors' poor physical health. Possible future directions of research are discussed including: the need for systematic empirical research of a new theory of repressive coping--the Vigilance-Avoidance Theory--more longitudinal health studies, and an in-depth exploration of the physiological mechanisms which may underlie repressive coping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn B Myers
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.
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Schwerdtfeger A, Derakshan N. The time line of threat processing and vagal withdrawal in response to a self-threatening stressor in cognitive avoidant copers: evidence for vigilance-avoidance theory. Psychophysiology 2010; 47:786-95. [PMID: 20136733 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2010.00965.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Using a spatial cueing paradigm with emotional and neutral facial expressions as cues, we examined early and late patterns of information processing in cognitive avoidant coping (CAV). Participants were required to detect a target that appeared either in the same location as the cue (valid) or in a different location (invalid). Cue-target onset asynchrony (CTOA) was manipulated to be short (250 ms) or long (750 ms). CAV was associated with early facilitation and faster disengagement from angry faces. No effects were found for happy or neutral faces. After completing the spatial cueing task, participants prepared and delivered a public speech and heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded. Disengagement from angry faces was related to a decrease in HRV in response to this task. Together, these data suggest that CAV is related to early engagement followed by disengagement from threat-related cues that might impact physiological stress responses.
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Zachariae R. Psychoneuroimmunology: A bio-psycho-social approach to health and disease. Scand J Psychol 2009; 50:645-51. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2009.00779.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Zachariae
- Psychooncology Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
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Abstract
The emotional style of repressive coping in relation to blood pressure and cardiovascular disease has received increasing attention during the past 25 years. Repressive coping describes the capacity to render events and feelings inaccessible to consciousness. Intrapsychic conflicts involving unacceptable wishes, fantasies, and impulses can be hidden from conscious awareness. Repressive (or defensive) coping has been associated with elevated blood pressure levels, essential hypertension, and paroxysmal hypertension. Cardiovascular patients who use a repressive style have shown mixed results during recuperation. The repressive coping style is easily assessed with two pencil-and-paper measures, which clinicians could administer. Knowledge that a patient uses repressive emotional coping could help physicians better treat this unique group. For patients recovering from cardiovascular events, intervention styles can be adopted that fit the repressive personality. More research in this area will be a challenge to psychologists and internal medicine specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian Gleiberman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0739, USA.
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Jakulj F, Zernicke K, Bacon SL, van Wielingen LE, Key BL, West SG, Campbell TS. A high-fat meal increases cardiovascular reactivity to psychological stress in healthy young adults. J Nutr 2007; 137:935-9. [PMID: 17374657 DOI: 10.1093/jn/137.4.935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The consumption of high levels of saturated fat over the course of several weeks may lead to exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity. The consumption of a single high-fat meal has been associated with a transient impairment of vascular function. In a randomized, repeated measures, crossover study we tested whether the consumption of a single high-fat meal by healthy, normotensive participants would affect cardiovascular reactivity when compared with an isocaloric, low-fat meal. Thirty healthy participants ate a high-fat (42 g) and a low-fat (1 g) meal on 2 separate occasions, and their cardiovascular response to 2 standard laboratory stressors was measured. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and total peripheral resistance were greater in participants following the consumption of the high-fat meal relative to the low-fat meal. The findings of the present study are consistent with the hypothesis that even a single high-fat meal may be associated with heightened cardiovascular reactivity to stress and offer insight into the pathways through which a high-fat diet may affect cardiovascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabijana Jakulj
- University of Calgary, Department of Psychology, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
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