An investigation into the effects of social evaluation on cardiovascular and endocrine responses to the CO2 stress test in humans.
The present study examined whether social evaluation could heighten individuals' physiological responses to the CO(2) stress test, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response in particular. Twenty-five healthy volunteers undertook the CO(2) test under three conditions: (i) standard CO(2) protocol, (ii) standard CO(2) protocol conducted in front of a full-length mirror (mirror) and (iii) standard CO(2) protocol conducted in front of a video camera deemed to be transmitting live images of the procedure to investigators evaluating participant performance (video). Despite counterbalancing for task order, there were significant differences in anger and depression among the conditions. Repeated measures analysis of variances (ANOVAs), controlling for these mood indices, revealed that salivary cortisol, heart rate and systolic blood pressure responses to the CO(2) test were not affected by social evaluation (i.e. mirror or video). Although the data provide no evidence that endocrine and cardiovascular responses to the CO(2) test are affected by social evaluation, the potency of the social evaluation manipulation in this study is in question. Thus, further research is warranted which includes evidence of, or instructions suggesting negative social evaluation.
Vedhara
K
K
Institute of Work, Health & Organisations, University of Nottingham, International House, Jubilee Campus, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK. kavita.vedhara@nottingham.ac.uk
Brant
H
H
Alexiou
A
A
Petrie
K J
KJ
Miles
J N V
JN
Lightman
S L
SL
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012919:Social Behavior; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D014743:Videotape Recording
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006854:Hydrocortisone