Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026
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The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
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Social identification and contagious stress reactions
Valerie A Erkens1, Urs M Nater2, Jürgen Hennig1
1Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|December 5, 2018
Summary
Contagious stress, the transmission of stress, was observed in 17% of participants on a neuroendocrine level and increased self-reported stress. Shared social identity did not moderate this stress contagion effect.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Contagious stress is the transmission of stress from an individual to an observer.
- Understanding the factors that influence contagious stress is crucial for social and clinical psychology.
- Previous research has not fully explored the role of social identity in moderating stress contagion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroendocrine and affective levels of contagious stress.
- To examine whether a shared social identity moderates the effect of contagious stress.
- To validate a modified Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) for studying contagious stress.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-four participants were grouped into fours.
- A shared social or personal identity was induced.
- Participants observed a confederate undergoing a modified Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).
- Salivary cortisol and self-reported stress were measured pre- and post-observation.
Main Results:
- A physiologically significant contagious stress reaction was observed in 17% of participants on a neuroendocrine level.
- Participants reported increased affective stress after observing the TSST.
- The manipulation of social identity did not significantly affect contagious stress.
Conclusions:
- Contagious stress can manifest physiologically and affectively.
- Shared social identity does not appear to moderate contagious stress in this experimental setup.
- The modified TSST is a practical method for standardized contagious stress research.
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