Cardiovascular correlates of emotional expression and suppression: do content and gender context matter?
Three studies examined cardiovascular (CV) responses during emotional expression with empathically responsive strangers. Study 1 demonstrated that self-relevant emotional expression fostered CV reactivity consistent with challenge. Study 2 manipulated content of discussion by assigning participants to 1 of 4 conditions: emotional, nonemotional, emotional suppression, nonemotional suppression. In same-sex dyads. emotional expression elicited CV challenge reactivity whereas emotional suppression evoked CV threat reactivity, both compared with appropriate control groups. In opposite-sex dyads, however, emotional expression engendered CV threat. Because same- and opposite-sex disclosures differed, Study 3 controlled the content of emotional expression while manipulating gender context. Results confirmed findings from the first 2 studies, indicating that both context and content of emotional expression influenced CV effects. Findings are discussed within a theoretical challenge and threat perspective.
Mendes
Wendy Berry
WB
Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara 94143, USA. wberrymendes@yahoo.com
Reis
Harry T
HT
Seery
Mark D
MD
Blascovich
Jim
J
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors