RWTH Aachen University, Jaegerstrasse 17-19, D-52056 Aachen, Germany.
Horm Behav. 2021 Jan;127:104868. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104868. Epub 2020 Oct 15.
Providing negative feedback can be demanding, as it typically requires dealing with multiple negative emotions. The first aim of this study was to transfer this work-related task to a new laboratory protocol and to investigate short-term hormonal changes among feedback providers. The second aim was to test if such hormonal stress responses can be attenuated through a priori instructions on how to regulate emotions. Each of 150 participants (51% women) provided eight saliva samples before, during, and after anticipating and conducting a negative feedback conversation with a professional actor who displayed negative emotional reactions. Participants were divided into four conditions regarding the way they were instructed to regulate their emotions: expressive suppression (keeping a neutral expression); cognitive reappraisal (staying task-oriented and emotionally distanced); affect utilization (moving towards and using emotions); or control condition. By means of three-phase spline growth models, latent growth factors during baseline, stress response, and recovery were specified. Providing negative feedback was followed by significant temporary testosterone decreases as well as cortisol increases. Testosterone (but not cortisol) responses were attenuated when feedback providers had been instructed to either follow a cognitive reappraisal or affect utilization strategy. This study provides evidence that a typical managerial task, that is, having to provide negative feedback, is a testosterone- and cortisol-relevant experience. Down-regulation of an individual's emotional involvement through reappraisal, as well as the newly introduced technique of moving towards and making use of the interaction partner's emotions (affect utilization), revealed consequences in terms of attenuating the testosterone response to stress.
提供负面反馈是一项具有挑战性的任务，因为它通常需要处理多种负面情绪。本研究的首要目的是将这项与工作相关的任务转移到一个新的实验室方案中，并研究反馈提供者的短期荷尔蒙变化。第二个目的是测试通过关于如何调节情绪的事先指导，是否可以减轻这种荷尔蒙应激反应。每个参与者（51%为女性）共 150 人，在与一名表现出负面情绪反应的专业演员进行负面反馈对话之前、期间和之后，分别采集了 8 份唾液样本。参与者根据他们调节情绪的方式被分为四种条件：表达抑制（保持中立表情）；认知重评（保持任务导向和情绪距离）；情绪利用（走向和利用情绪）；或控制条件。通过三阶段样条增长模型，指定了基线、应激反应和恢复期间的潜在增长因素。提供负面反馈后，睾酮会暂时显著下降，皮质醇会增加。当反馈提供者被指示遵循认知重评或情绪利用策略时，睾酮（而非皮质醇）反应会减弱。本研究提供了证据表明，一项典型的管理任务，即提供负面反馈，是一种与睾酮和皮质醇相关的体验。通过重新评估来降低个体的情感投入，以及新引入的利用互动伙伴的情绪（情绪利用）的技术，在减轻对压力的睾酮反应方面显示出了后果。
