Why therapists sometimes suffer from emotional contagion…
Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
Research has revealed a method to pinpoint therapists who may unknowingly be at higher risk of emotional contagion, particularly in the context of therapists and other professionals who interact with distressed humans.
These professionals can inadvertently absorb negative emotions from their clients, potentially leading to personal struggles with depression.
This phenomenon, known as emotional contagion, occurs automatically and unconsciously, making it challenging for therapists to recognize…
Fortunately, researchers have developed a solution: artificial intelligence-based software that analyzes facial expressions to predict depression risk among mental health workers.
How the study was conducted
By studying the emotional responses of 56 psychoeducation students exposed to various video clips, researchers identified a correlation between susceptibility to emotional contagion and a higher risk of depression. The results showed that those who were most susceptible to emotional contagion were also at the highest risk of depression.
In addition, it was the facial recognition software that spotted people’s emotional contagion, not their self-assessment questionnaire.
In other words, many study subjects were not aware how easily they were ‘catching’ emotions just by watching a video.
While empathy, understanding someone’s emotions, is beneficial; sympathy, actually feeling those emotions, is not as useful.
A previous study by Plusquellec found that too much sympathy stopped youth protection workers from distancing themselves from their clients.
Surprisingly, the software was more adept at detecting emotional contagion than the participants' self-assessment questionnaire, highlighting the subtle nature of emotional absorption.
While empathy—understanding others' emotions—is valuable, excessive sympathy—feeling those emotions oneself—can be detrimental. Excessive emotional contagion can lead to burnout, particularly in professions where establishing a strong bond with clients is crucial, such as psychoeducation.
Professor Pierrich Plusquellec, the lead author of this Canadian study, emphasized the importance of early identification and management of emotional contagion to prevent burnout and depression among professionals.
The findings, published in the journal Psychological Reports, underscore the need for professionals to be aware of the risks of emotional contagion and the potential benefits of utilizing facial recognition software for emotional monitoring and well-being.
Final thoughts
Most therapists know the risks associated with emotional contagion and implement strategies to mitigate them. This is crucial for professionals in emotionally demanding fields. By utilizing innovative tools and techniques, we can protect their mental health while continuing to provide compassionate care to our clients.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Plusquellec, P., Smart, K., & Denault, V. (2023). Facial Reactivity to Emotional Stimuli is Related to Empathic Concern, Empathic Distress, and Depressive Symptoms in Social Work Students. Psychological Reports. https://doi.org/10.1177_00332941231181027
