Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
07:26
Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm
Published on: May 4, 2020
Implicit associations in tension-type headaches: a cognitive analysis based on stress reactivity processes
Jennifer F Armstrong1, David A Wittrock, Michael D Robinson
1Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
Headache
|September 1, 2006
Summary
Tension-type headache (TTH) patients show stronger links between negative events and headache triggers compared to healthy individuals. This suggests a cognitive bias may contribute to TTH development in susceptible people.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical psychology
Background:
- Stress/diathesis models are prevalent in understanding tension-type headaches (TTH).
- Stress reactivity data aligns with these models.
- Investigating associative cognitive processes is crucial for understanding TTH mediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate implicit associations between negative evaluations and headache-related information in TTH patients.
- To compare these associations in episodic TTH patients versus headache-free controls.
Main Methods:
- Selective recruitment of episodic TTH patients (n=19) and headache-free controls (n=19).
- Utilized an implicit association test (IAT) to assess cognitive biases.
- Examined implicit associations between negative evaluations and headache stimuli.
Main Results:
- TTH patients demonstrated significant implicit associations between negative evaluations and headache-related information.
- Control participants did not exhibit these associations.
- Findings support the hypothesis of a cognitive bias in TTH.
Conclusions:
- The study provides preliminary evidence for a cognitive model of TTH.
- This model suggests that implicit associations may play a role in TTH occurrence among predisposed individuals.
- Further research is warranted to explore the implications of these cognitive processes in TTH.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
01:23Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II
Personality types, particularly Type A and Type B, significantly influence how individuals respond to stress. These personality distinctions are marked by varying levels of ambition, competitiveness, and coping styles, all of which shape an individual's resilience to stressors.
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as "workaholics," they...
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as "workaholics," they...
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
01:23Types of Stressors
A stressor is any event, condition, or stimulus that triggers stress and causes a physical or psychological response in the body. Stressors can be categorized into three main types: catastrophes; significant life changes; and daily hassles, including social stress. Each can be detrimental to physical and mental well-being.
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be interpreted as...