An experimental study of shared sensitivity to physical pain and social rejection.

TitleAn experimental study of shared sensitivity to physical pain and social rejection.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsEisenberger NI, Jarcho JM, Lieberman MD, Naliboff BD
JournalPain
Volume126
Issue1-3
Pagination132-8
Date Published2006 Dec 15
ISSN1872-6623
KeywordsAdult, Female, Games, Experimental, Hot Temperature, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Nervous System, Nervous System Physiological Phenomena, Pain, Pain Threshold, Rejection (Psychology), Skin, Social Isolation
Abstract

Recent evidence points to a possible overlap in the neural systems underlying the distressing experience that accompanies physical pain and social rejection (Eisenberger et al., 2003). The present study tested two hypotheses that stem from this suggested overlap, namely: (1) that baseline sensitivity to physical pain will predict sensitivity to social rejection and (2) that experiences that heighten social distress will heighten sensitivity to physical pain as well. In the current study, participants' baseline cutaneous heat pain unpleasantness thresholds were assessed prior to the completion of a task that manipulated feelings of social distress. During this task, participants played a virtual ball-tossing game, allegedly with two other individuals, in which they were either continuously included (social inclusion condition) or they were left out of the game by either never being included or by being overtly excluded (social rejection conditions). At the end of the game, three pain stimuli were delivered and participants rated the unpleasantness of each. Results indicated that greater baseline sensitivity to pain (lower pain unpleasantness thresholds) was associated with greater self-reported social distress in response to the social rejection conditions. Additionally, for those in the social rejection conditions, greater reports of social distress were associated with greater reports of pain unpleasantness to the thermal stimuli delivered at the end of the game. These results provide additional support for the hypothesis that pain distress and social distress share neurocognitive substrates. Implications for clinical populations are discussed.

DOI10.1016/j.pain.2006.06.024
Alternate JournalPain
PubMed ID16890354
Grant ListMH15750 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
NR04881 / NR / NINR NIH HHS / United States
P50 DK64539 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R24 AT002681 / AT / NCCIH NIH HHS / United States
T32 MH019925 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States