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De invloed van alexithymie op de relatie tussen fysiologische en psychologische arousal

Peters, A.L. (2019) De invloed van alexithymie op de relatie tussen fysiologische en psychologische arousal.

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Abstract:Introduction: emotions are important in human behaviour and are involved with learning, problem solving and interactions between people. Emotional arousal is connected to physiological reactions of the human body, like heartbeat and electrodermal activity (EDA). The purpose of this study entails contributing to the limited body of research on the correlation between physiological and psychological arousal in field studies and the influence of alexithymia on this association. Method: during a 7-day trial, participants reported their level of emotional arousal on a scale ranging from very low to very high. Additionally, EDA was measured using the Empatica E4-wristband. Before collecting any data, a questionnaire was conducted assessing the presence of alexithymia. Results: a moderate significant negative correlation was found between the TAS-20 score and the correlation between EDA and self-reported arousal. A high TAS-20 score was coherent with a low correlation between EDA and self-reported arousal. Discussion: this study provides initial evidence of the existence of a decoupling between physiological responses and subjective emotional awareness in people with a high degree of alexithymia in a field study. The inability to distinguish emotions can lead to difficulties regulating emotional arousal in daily life thereby increasing the risk of mental and somatic disorders.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/77792
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