The Experts below are selected from a list of 3438 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Sophie Bergeron - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Observed and Perceived Disclosure and Empathy Are Associated With Better Relationship Adjustment and Quality of Life in Couples Coping With Vulvodynia.
Archives of sexual behavior, 2016Co-Authors: Natalie O. Rosen, Katy Bois, Marie-hélène Mayrand, Sarah A. Vannier, Sophie BergeronAbstract:Vulvodynia is a common idiopathic vulvovaginal pain condition that adversely affects the quality of life and intimate relationships of afflicted couples. Cross-sectional interpersonal factors, including how couples with vulvodynia communicate with each other, have been linked to women’s pain and couples’ relationship well-being. The current study investigated the observed and perceived associations between disclosure and Empathic Response, and couples’ relationship adjustment, as well as women’s pain during intercourse, and quality of life. Fifty women (M age = 24.50, SD = 4.03) diagnosed with vulvodynia and their partners (M age = 26.10, SD = 5.70) participated in a filmed discussion of the impact of this condition on their lives. Disclosure and Empathic Response were assessed by a trained observer and self-reported by participants immediately following the discussion. Analyses were based on the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. Greater observed Empathic Response and perceived disclosure in women were associated with their higher quality of life. When women demonstrated greater Empathic Response, they and their partners reported higher relationship adjustment. In addition, when partners perceived greater Empathic Response, women reported higher relationship adjustment. There were no significant associations between disclosure or Empathic Response and women’s pain during intercourse. Disclosure and Empathic Response may help women sustain the quality of their lives, and couples maintain the quality of their overall relationship while coping with the challenges that vulvodynia poses to their intimate connection. Increasing disclosure and Empathic Response might be a valuable target for enhancing the efficacy of couple-based interventions for vulvodynia.
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Intimacy, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress in vulvodynia couples: An observational study.
Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology American Psychological Association, 2015Co-Authors: Katy Bois, Natalie O. Rosen, Marie-hélène Mayrand, Sophie Bergeron, Audrey Brassard, Gentiana SadikajAbstract:OBJECTIVE Vulvodynia is a prevalent idiopathic pain condition with deleterious consequences for the sexuality of affected women and their spouses. Intimacy has been identified as a facilitator of adjustment to health difficulties in couples. Two components of intimacy were examined among couples with vulvodynia-Empathic Response and disclosure-in relation to their sexual satisfaction and sexual distress. METHOD Using an observational design, 50 women (Mage = 24.50 years, SD = 4.03) diagnosed with vulvodynia and their spouses (Mage = 26.10 years, SD = 5.70) participated in a filmed discussion focusing on the impact of vulvodynia on their lives. Empathic Response and disclosure were assessed by a trained observer and self-reported by participants after engaging in the discussion. The actor-partner interdependence model guided the data analyses. RESULTS Women's and spouses' higher observed and perceived Empathic Responses were associated with their own and their partners' greater sexual satisfaction. Women's and spouses' higher perceived disclosures were associated with their own and their partners' greater sexual satisfaction. Women's and spouses' higher observed Empathic Responses were associated with their own lower sexual distress. Women's higher observed Empathic Responses were associated with their spouses' lower sexual distress. Women and spouses' perceived greater Empathic Responses were associated with their own lower sexual distress. Women's and spouses' greater perceived disclosures during the discussion were associated with their own and their partners' lower sexual distress. CONCLUSION Promoting Empathic Response and disclosure through couple interventions may buffer against the sexual distress and sexual dissatisfaction of couples coping with vulvodynia. (PsycINFO Database Record
Michela Balconi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Does aesthetic judgment on face attractiveness affect neural correlates of empathy for pain? A fNIRS study
Experimental Brain Research, 2020Co-Authors: Michela Balconi, Natalia Kopis, Laura AngiolettiAbstract:Empathy for pain is at the basis of altruistic behaviors and is known to be modulated by variables such as group membership, pleasantness or unpleasantness of situations and social relationships. Also, face attractiveness and aesthetic judgment might play a role when observing a person in painful conditions, by increasing individuals’ Empathic responsiveness. Indeed, physical attractiveness can modify both the perception of the face itself and its reception in a social context. In the present study, we aimed to assess cortical activity when attention is focused on the aesthetic features of an individual showing painful feelings. Brain activity (optical imaging: functional near-infrared spectroscopy, fNIRS), considered in its hemodynamic components (oxygenated [oxy-Hb] and deoxygenated hemoglobin [deoxy-Hb]) was monitored when 22 subjects ( M _age = 24.9; SD = 3.6) observed faces (attractive; unattractive) that received painful stimulations (pain; no pain) and were asked to judge the attractiveness and pain condition of the face. Specifically, we targeted the left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), sensory cortex, and temporo-parietal junction (TPJ). Analyses revealed significant lower oxy-Hb levels in left IFG compared to right hemispheric channels when asking participants to rate faces attractiveness independently from the stimulus features. Besides, lower levels of deoxy-Hb were detected in the right TPJ for unattractive faces compared to attractive faces. Overall, present findings highlighted that the formulation of an aesthetic judgment and face attractiveness plays a relevant role in Empathic concerns and this seems to be able to overlay painful appraisal. The aesthetic judgment of face stimuli overlays the evaluation of pain conditions. A hemispheric lateralization effect related to emotion was found for right IFG. Bilateral preparietal somatosensory association areas are involved in aesthetic judgment. Unattractive faces triggered a cognitive Empathic Response modulated by the right TPJ.
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self report personality and autonomic system modulation in Response to Empathic conflictual versus non conflictual situation
Cognition & Emotion, 2014Co-Authors: Michela Balconi, Adriana BortolottiAbstract:The present study integrated three different measures of emotional Empathic behaviour in a social context: verbal self-report measures (Empathic Response, emotional involvement, emotional significance, and valence), autonomic Response (skin conductance, SCR, and heart rate, HR), and personal Response to Empathic scale (BEES). Thirty-five younger adults were presented with different interpersonal scene types (co-operation, non-co-operation, conflict, neutral). Different Empathic sensitivity to these interpersonal situations was tested, since we hypothesised self-report on empathy, emotional involvement and valence varied as a function of interpersonal context. As supposed, self-report measures of empathy and autonomic measures were found to be related: SCR and HR increased in Response to conflictual and non-co-operative situations. Moreover, high Empathic subjects were more responsive (on both self-report and autonomic Response) to empathy-related situations than low Empathic subjects. The convergence of t...
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Empathy in Cooperative Versus Non-cooperative Situations: The Contribution of Self-Report Measures and Autonomic Responses
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2012Co-Authors: Michela Balconi, Adriana BortolottiAbstract:Shared representations, emotion comprehension, and emotion regulation constitute the basic macro components of social empathy. The present study integrated two different measures of Empathic behavior in a social context: verbal self-report measures (Empathic Response, emotional involvement and emotional significance, and valence), and autonomic Responses (facial expression-corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major muscle-, SCR—skin conductance-, and HR—heart rate-). Participants (N = thirty-five) were presented with different interpersonal scene types (cooperation, non-cooperation, conflict, indifference). Different Empathic sensitivity to these interpersonal situations was verified, since self-rating on empathy, emotional involvement and valence varied as a function of interpersonal context. Situation rated as more Empathically significant were considered also as the most positive (cooperation) and negative (non cooperation and conflictual) and emotionally significant (high emotional significance of the scenes) in comparison with neutral scenes. Nevertheless, subjective Empathic Response and personal emotional involvement were found to be dissociated measures in non-cooperative condition. On the autonomic level, facial mimicry was linked to and coherent with the Empathic Response in cooperative, non-cooperative and conflictual conditions, whereas SCR and HR were increased only in Response to cooperative and conflictual situation, rated as more involving by the subject. The convergence of these multidimensional measures was discussed: empirical evidences are far from able to warrant claims that processes of emotional contagion and simulation provide the sole, primary important way by which we come to know what others are feeling.
Adriana Bortolotti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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self report personality and autonomic system modulation in Response to Empathic conflictual versus non conflictual situation
Cognition & Emotion, 2014Co-Authors: Michela Balconi, Adriana BortolottiAbstract:The present study integrated three different measures of emotional Empathic behaviour in a social context: verbal self-report measures (Empathic Response, emotional involvement, emotional significance, and valence), autonomic Response (skin conductance, SCR, and heart rate, HR), and personal Response to Empathic scale (BEES). Thirty-five younger adults were presented with different interpersonal scene types (co-operation, non-co-operation, conflict, neutral). Different Empathic sensitivity to these interpersonal situations was tested, since we hypothesised self-report on empathy, emotional involvement and valence varied as a function of interpersonal context. As supposed, self-report measures of empathy and autonomic measures were found to be related: SCR and HR increased in Response to conflictual and non-co-operative situations. Moreover, high Empathic subjects were more responsive (on both self-report and autonomic Response) to empathy-related situations than low Empathic subjects. The convergence of t...
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Empathy in Cooperative Versus Non-cooperative Situations: The Contribution of Self-Report Measures and Autonomic Responses
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2012Co-Authors: Michela Balconi, Adriana BortolottiAbstract:Shared representations, emotion comprehension, and emotion regulation constitute the basic macro components of social empathy. The present study integrated two different measures of Empathic behavior in a social context: verbal self-report measures (Empathic Response, emotional involvement and emotional significance, and valence), and autonomic Responses (facial expression-corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major muscle-, SCR—skin conductance-, and HR—heart rate-). Participants (N = thirty-five) were presented with different interpersonal scene types (cooperation, non-cooperation, conflict, indifference). Different Empathic sensitivity to these interpersonal situations was verified, since self-rating on empathy, emotional involvement and valence varied as a function of interpersonal context. Situation rated as more Empathically significant were considered also as the most positive (cooperation) and negative (non cooperation and conflictual) and emotionally significant (high emotional significance of the scenes) in comparison with neutral scenes. Nevertheless, subjective Empathic Response and personal emotional involvement were found to be dissociated measures in non-cooperative condition. On the autonomic level, facial mimicry was linked to and coherent with the Empathic Response in cooperative, non-cooperative and conflictual conditions, whereas SCR and HR were increased only in Response to cooperative and conflictual situation, rated as more involving by the subject. The convergence of these multidimensional measures was discussed: empirical evidences are far from able to warrant claims that processes of emotional contagion and simulation provide the sole, primary important way by which we come to know what others are feeling.
J. Aharon-peretz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Characterization of Empathy Deficits following Prefrontal Brain Damage: The Role of the Right Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 2003Co-Authors: S. G. Shamay-tsoory, R. Tomer, B. D. Berger, J. Aharon-peretzAbstract:Impaired Empathic Response has been described in patients following brain injury, suggesting that empathy may be a fundamental aspect of the social behavior disturbed by brain damage. However, the neuroanatomical basis of impaired empathy has not been studied in detail. The Empathic Response of patients with localized lesions in the prefrontal cortex (n = 25) was compared to Responses of patients with posterior (n = 17) and healthy control subjects (n = 19). To examine the cognitive processes that underlie the Empathic ability, the relationships between empathy scores and the performance on tasks that assess processes of cognitive flexibility, affect recognition, and theory of mind (TOM) were also examined. Patients with prefrontal lesions, particularly when their damage included the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, were significantly impaired in empathy as compared to patients with posterior lesions and healthy controls. However, among patients with posterior lesions, those with damage to the right hemisphere were impaired, whereas those with left posterior lesions displayed empathy levels similar to healthy controls. Seven of nine patients with the most profound empathy deficit had a right ventromedial lesion. A differential pattern regarding the relationships between empathy and cognitive performance was also found: Whereas among patients with dorsolateral prefrontal damage empathy was related to cognitive flexibility but not to TOM and affect recognition, empathy scores in patients with ventromedial lesions were related to TOM but not to cognitive flexibility. Our findings suggest that prefrontal structures play an important part in a network mediating the Empathic Response and specifically that the right ventromedial cortex has a unique role in integrating cognition and affect to produce the Empathic Response.
Natalie O. Rosen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Observed and Perceived Disclosure and Empathy Are Associated With Better Relationship Adjustment and Quality of Life in Couples Coping With Vulvodynia.
Archives of sexual behavior, 2016Co-Authors: Natalie O. Rosen, Katy Bois, Marie-hélène Mayrand, Sarah A. Vannier, Sophie BergeronAbstract:Vulvodynia is a common idiopathic vulvovaginal pain condition that adversely affects the quality of life and intimate relationships of afflicted couples. Cross-sectional interpersonal factors, including how couples with vulvodynia communicate with each other, have been linked to women’s pain and couples’ relationship well-being. The current study investigated the observed and perceived associations between disclosure and Empathic Response, and couples’ relationship adjustment, as well as women’s pain during intercourse, and quality of life. Fifty women (M age = 24.50, SD = 4.03) diagnosed with vulvodynia and their partners (M age = 26.10, SD = 5.70) participated in a filmed discussion of the impact of this condition on their lives. Disclosure and Empathic Response were assessed by a trained observer and self-reported by participants immediately following the discussion. Analyses were based on the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. Greater observed Empathic Response and perceived disclosure in women were associated with their higher quality of life. When women demonstrated greater Empathic Response, they and their partners reported higher relationship adjustment. In addition, when partners perceived greater Empathic Response, women reported higher relationship adjustment. There were no significant associations between disclosure or Empathic Response and women’s pain during intercourse. Disclosure and Empathic Response may help women sustain the quality of their lives, and couples maintain the quality of their overall relationship while coping with the challenges that vulvodynia poses to their intimate connection. Increasing disclosure and Empathic Response might be a valuable target for enhancing the efficacy of couple-based interventions for vulvodynia.
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Intimacy, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress in vulvodynia couples: An observational study.
Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology American Psychological Association, 2015Co-Authors: Katy Bois, Natalie O. Rosen, Marie-hélène Mayrand, Sophie Bergeron, Audrey Brassard, Gentiana SadikajAbstract:OBJECTIVE Vulvodynia is a prevalent idiopathic pain condition with deleterious consequences for the sexuality of affected women and their spouses. Intimacy has been identified as a facilitator of adjustment to health difficulties in couples. Two components of intimacy were examined among couples with vulvodynia-Empathic Response and disclosure-in relation to their sexual satisfaction and sexual distress. METHOD Using an observational design, 50 women (Mage = 24.50 years, SD = 4.03) diagnosed with vulvodynia and their spouses (Mage = 26.10 years, SD = 5.70) participated in a filmed discussion focusing on the impact of vulvodynia on their lives. Empathic Response and disclosure were assessed by a trained observer and self-reported by participants after engaging in the discussion. The actor-partner interdependence model guided the data analyses. RESULTS Women's and spouses' higher observed and perceived Empathic Responses were associated with their own and their partners' greater sexual satisfaction. Women's and spouses' higher perceived disclosures were associated with their own and their partners' greater sexual satisfaction. Women's and spouses' higher observed Empathic Responses were associated with their own lower sexual distress. Women's higher observed Empathic Responses were associated with their spouses' lower sexual distress. Women and spouses' perceived greater Empathic Responses were associated with their own lower sexual distress. Women's and spouses' greater perceived disclosures during the discussion were associated with their own and their partners' lower sexual distress. CONCLUSION Promoting Empathic Response and disclosure through couple interventions may buffer against the sexual distress and sexual dissatisfaction of couples coping with vulvodynia. (PsycINFO Database Record