The Emotion Research Network

& the Department of Psychology Present:

Nathan S. Consedine
Department of Psychological Medicine University of Auckland, New Zealand

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

1:00 p.m. 2:15 pm 127 Moore Building

At first I was afraid: Disgust and embarrassment predict avoidance in cancer and sexual health
Delays and avoidance are common in healthcare. Emotions are crosssectionally implicated, but their causal impact is unclear. The current program of research tests whether disgust and embarrassment cause delay and avoidance in healthcare decision-making and for whom. In a series of studies, participants complete baseline questionnaires before being gender-block randomized to disgust, embarrassment, or control conditions to complete decision-making healthcare vignettes. Across two studies, disgust and embarrassment caused delay and avoidance of their elicitors, but only among specific groups and this effect was moderated by trait sensitivity. Thus, embarrassment and disgust can cause delays in healthcare, at least for some people. Additional analyses and ongoing studies are examining the moderating effects of manipulated and trait mindfulness on the links between emotions and health related avoidance. An emotion framework may help identify the specific aspects of healthcare symptoms, treatments, and consultations that promote avoidance and thus illuminate possible interventions.