Anxiety And Neuroticism Are Associated With Autonomic Sensory Meridian Response

Neuroticism, a personality trait defined by an individual's propensity to experience unpleasant emotions, particularly in the stress reaction, has been proven to predict numerous types of psychopathology, including drug misuse, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. Neuroticism has evolved to be characterised as an emotional stability characteristic or the propensity to get aroused when provoked. In a study published on February 2, 2022, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, Charlotte Eid and colleagues from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom discovered new evidence that links greater levels of neuroticism and anxiety with the tendency to perceive stress-relieving sensory experience known as the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). During ASMR, a person feels a tingling feeling that starts in the head and neck and spreads throughout the body. ASMR is not experienced by everyone and those who have varied triggers, such as having a massage or listening to quiet noises, such as whispering. Many internet movies, including noises and settings that may induce ASMR, have been created recently, and many viewers report soothing advantages.

What Causes Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response?

ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response), also known as an auto sensory meridian response, is a tingling sensation that usually starts on the scalp and goes down the back of the neck and upper spine. It has been compared to auditory-tactile synesthesia and may overlap with frisson as a pleasant kind of paresthesia. The term ASMR refers to the subjective experience of "low-grade bliss," which is defined by "a mix of happy sentiments and a characteristic static-like tingling sensation on the skin." Specific auditory or visual cues usually cause specific auditory or visual cues to cause it, and it is less frequently induced by purposeful attention management.

ASMR is an exceedingly pleasurable tingling sensation that originates in the scalp and neck and is provoked by various internet video-induced triggers. Many people now watch ASMR videos daily to relax and relieve tension and sleeplessness, all of which are indicators of worry. According to emerging research, ASMR-capable individuals have high trait neuroticism, which is connected with a propensity to feel unpleasant emotional states such as anxiety. However, no empirical research has been conducted too far to relate these personality traits to the effect of watching ASMR films on anxiety reduction.

Relationship Between Neuroticism And Anxiety

In the present investigation, 36 ASMR-experiencers and 28 non-experiencers viewed an ASMR video and performed neuroticism, trait anxiety, and pre-/post-video state anxiety evaluations. ASMR-experiencers reported substantially higher ratings for neuroticism, anxiety symptoms, and video engagement than non-experiencers, according to MANCOVA with Group as the independent measures component. Pre-video state anxiety was also considerably higher in ASMR-experiencers and dramatically reduced after seeing the ASMR video. Still, non-experiencers indicated no difference in pre-and post-video state anxiety. Observing ASMR thereby reduced state anxiety, but only those who experienced ASMR. Subsequent mediation studies revealed the significance of pre-existing variability in neuroticism, trait, and (pre-video) state anxiety in explaining the group difference in state anxiety reduction. The mediation analysis adds more evidence to watching ASMR recordings as a treatment for acute state anxiety. Future research directions are mentioned.

Overall, these data indicate that ASMR experiencers may have higher neuroticism and anxiety disorders than non-experiencers. They also propose that ASMR might be used to treat people with high degrees of neuroticism and/or anxiety in general. However, the authors point out that further research is needed to overcome the study's weaknesses and improve knowledge.

Conclusion

According to the findings, the researchers discovered that watching an ASMR video lowered anxiety in people who experience ASMR tingles, even if they were previously unaware of the phenomena. Because these advantages were connected with personality features associated with high anxiety, ASMR may be an appropriate psychological remedy for nervous persons in general and those who suffer from social anxiety.