Temporal estimation of threatening stimuli in social anxiety disorder: Investigation of the effects of state anxiety and fearfulness

摘要: Abstract Background and objectives Prior studies suggest that particularly negative emotional events tend to be experienced as temporally dilated. Perceptual characteristics of the threat cue (averted or directed angry face), state well individual anxiety levels have been shown contribute temporal distortions, but interplay between these factors is not understood. The present study investigated relative contributions in a first using clinical sample with social disorder (SAD) healthy controls (HC). Methods Participants performed bisection task (TBT) before after stress provocation phase, which served induce anxiety. During TBT task, neutral faces averted vs. direct gaze were presented for length 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600 ms, judged regarding their similarity standard durations. Results A overestimation effect facial expressions was evident both HC SAD groups. An experimentally induced solely group, reflected an overall increased following mood manipulation. Limitations may represent high-functioning conducted on college students. Replication more heterogeneous samples needed order draw further conclusions. Conclusions These results relevant understanding etiology maintenance potentially development novel intervention methods.