New study on the associations of socio-cognitive and socio-affective processes and psychosocial stress

A new study by Jost U. Blasberg, Philipp Kanske and colleagues investigated how empathy, compassion and Theory of Mind (ToM) influence individual responses to psychosocial stress. Psychosocial stress was measured subjectively, as well as using physiological measures, such as high-frequency heart-rate variability and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels. Empathy and compassion showed no influence on psychosocial stress; however, improved ToM performance was associated with increased levels of alpha-amylase and reduced high-frequency heart-rate variability. The findings highlight the importance of utilising multiple stress markers to determine the intricate relationships between psychosocial stress responses and socio-cognitive and socio-affective processes.

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