Empathic stress in the family system

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Psychosocial stress is a public health concern in modern society. Chronic stress-induced disease processes are, in large part, mediated by the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system. Previously, the applicants have shown that experiencing stress is not limited to one’s own challenges. Seemingly linked with their capacity for empathy, individuals also resonate with other people’s stress responses. This stress resonance is demonstrated by a proportional secretion of the HPA axis end hormone cortisol between the actively stressed and the observing individual. The likelihood of stress resonance increases with the intimacy of the relationship between the two interacting individuals. Acute physiological stress resonance may be adaptive in that it serves as a warning of imminent danger or mobilizes energy to support the stressed individual. Chronic stress resonance, however, may come with a health risk for the receiver, especially for highly empathic individuals. The overarching goal of the current project is to gain insight into the phenomenon of stress transmission in social relations. Because family members are particularly close and therefore prone to experience stress resonance, and given the significance of the mother-child bond, we will focus exclusively on the mother-child dyad. WP 1 will assess the occurrence of physiological stress resonance in children observing their mothers in a stressful situation. Further, the consequences of stress resonance for children’s executive function and emotion regulation will be examined. WP 2 will focus on the mechanisms underlying cortisol stress resonance. We plan to investigate the role of facial expressions in mothers and the mimicry thereof in children, as well as the contribution of perspective taking and trait empathy (affect sharing) capacities. WP 3 will capture stress- and empathy-dependent cortisol covariance in the everyday lives of the mother-child dyads tested in WP 2. This will speak to the real-world applicability of stress transmission processes. It will also be possible to explore health outcomes and behavioural modulators of diurnal cortisol covariation in the pre-tested children. In this synergistically rich cooperation, the two principal investigators will offer young scientists training across two laboratory sites. Our results will first and foremost advance our understanding of the significance and mechanisms of stress transmission in the family. In doing so, they will provide the basis for developing approaches to protect vulnerable populations from the negative impact of chronic stress resonance.