Cited by 86Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesHeart Rate Variability and Autonomic ControlNeuroscience of respiration and sleep

Effects of paced respiration and expectations on physiological and psychological responses to threat.

McCaul, Kevin D., Solomon, Sheldon, Holmes, David S.·1979·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Abstract

While waiting to receive electric shocks, 105 males either (a) regulated their breathing at one half the normal rate, (b) regulated their breathing at the normal rate, or (c) did not regulate their breathing rate. Half of the subjects in each breathing condition were told that their breathing task would aid them in relaxing, whereas the other half were not given that expectation. Subjects in a no threat condition were not threatened with shocks, did not regulate their breathing, and were not provided with expectations. The results indicated that slowing respiration rate reduced physiological arousal as measured by skin resistance and finger pulse volume (but not heart rate) and reduced self-reports of anxiety. Expectations did not influence arousal. These data provide evidence for the effectiveness of paced respiration as a coping strategy, and they resolve the conflicting findings of previous investigations.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0022-3514.37.4.564

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Authors
McCaul, K. D., Solomon, S., & Holmes, D. S.
Affiliations
North Dakota State University (US)
Venue
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Published
1979
Volume
37
Issue
4
Pages
564-571
ISSN
  • 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1315
OpenAlex
W2065131550
Cited by
86
References
16
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
FWCI
2.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
Keywords
threats, anxiety, physiological arousal, skin resistance, pulse volume, heart rate, coping strategies, expectations, relaxation
MeSH terms
Adult, Anxiety, Arousal, Fingers, Galvanic Skin Response, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Respiration, Stress, Psychological

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