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Frontal brain activation in repressors and nonrepressors
1Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240.
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|May 1, 1994
Summary
Repressors, individuals with a defensive coping style, show distinct brain activity patterns. Their resting frontal asymmetry, specifically left hemisphere activation, may indicate a self-enhancing regulatory style, potentially lowering psychopathology risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Coping Mechanisms
Background:
- Defensive coping styles can influence psychological well-being.
- Anterior brain asymmetry is associated with emotional regulation and personality traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between resting anterior brain asymmetry and repressive-defensive coping styles.
- To determine if frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry can differentiate between repressors and non-repressors.
Main Methods:
- Resting electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from adult females over two sessions.
- Participants completed the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
- Subjects were categorized as repressors or non-repressors based on psychometric assessments.
Main Results:
- Repressors exhibited relatively greater left hemisphere activation in midfrontal and lateral frontal sites compared to other groups.
- The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC) scores uniquely predicted frontal asymmetry.
- The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) did not significantly contribute to frontal asymmetry variance.
Conclusions:
- Resting anterior asymmetry, particularly left frontal activation, may serve as a neural marker for repressive-defensive coping.
- This pattern of brain activity could be associated with a self-enhancing regulatory style.
- Left frontal activation in repressors might be linked to a reduced risk for developing psychopathology.