Schmaus Brian J, Laubmeier Kimberly K, Boquiren Virginia M, Herzer Michele, Zakowski Sandra G
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicagi, Illinois 60064, United States.
Int J Psychophysiol. 2008 Aug;69(2):101-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.03.006. Epub 2008 Mar 26.
Research has shown that women are more prone to the development of depression and anxiety disorders throughout their lifetimes. Stress reactivity and adaptation to repeated stressors have been linked to depression and anxiety, but studies examining gender differences in psychophysiological responses to repeated stressors are very limited. This study examined gender differences in response to initial and repeated exposure to a laboratory stressor as well as potential mechanisms for these differences. Participants viewed a Holocaust video on two occasions with a 2-day interval between sessions. Self reported negative affect and cardiovascular reactivity were recorded at both sessions. Although gender differences were not found following initial exposure, women exhibited significantly greater heart rate (HR) and negative affect (NA) reactivity to the second exposure as compared to men. Women also reported significantly greater intrusive thoughts and avoidance after the first exposure than men, but these were not found to be significant mediators. The findings indicate that women may be more vulnerable to repeated stress exposures compared to men suggesting sensitization. The implications of our findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
研究表明，女性在其一生中更容易患上抑郁症和焦虑症。应激反应性以及对反复应激源的适应与抑郁症和焦虑症有关，但研究反复应激源的心理生理反应中的性别差异的研究非常有限。本研究考察了对实验室应激源的初次和反复暴露的反应中的性别差异以及这些差异的潜在机制。参与者分两次观看一部关于大屠杀的视频，两次观看之间间隔两天。在两次观看时都记录了自我报告的消极情绪和心血管反应性。虽然初次暴露后未发现性别差异，但与男性相比，女性在第二次暴露时表现出明显更高的心率（HR）和消极情绪（NA）反应性。女性在第一次暴露后还报告了比男性明显更多的侵入性想法和回避行为，但这些未被发现是显著的中介因素。研究结果表明，与男性相比，女性可能更容易受到反复应激暴露的影响，提示存在致敏作用。讨论了我们研究结果的意义以及对未来研究的建议。
