Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response self-reporters showed higher scores for cognitive reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy

Abstract

Background Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) describes the experience of a pleasant tingling sensation along the back of the head, accompanied with a feeling of well-being and relaxation, in response to specific audio-visual stimuli, such as whispers, soft sounds, and personal attention. Previous works have assessed individual variations in personality traits associated with ASMR, but no research to date has explored differences in emotion regulation associated with ASMR. This omission occurred even when ASMR, a sensory-emotional experience, has been proposed to be located in a sound sensitivity spectrum as the opposite end of misophonia, a phenomenon associated with difficulties regulating emotions. The present work aimed to assess group differences between ASMR self-reporters and non-ASMR controls associated with emotion regulation strategies. Methods We used the validated Spanish version of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire to assess individual differences in the use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Results Our results showed that participants who experience ASMR had higher scores in the cognitive reappraisal subscale of the emotion regulation questionnaire than the non-ASMR group. Conclusions Individuals who experience ASMR reported higher use of cognitive reevaluation of emotionally arousing situations, suggesting more effectiveness in regulating emotions. Our finding further elucidates individual differences related to this experience, supporting that ASMR is a real psychophysiological phenomenon associated with other psychological constructs and has remarkable consequences in affective/emotional dimensions and general well-being.

Beyond tingles: An exploratory qualitative study of the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)

“…Fluctuations in HR may depend on trait anxiety in participants who are drawn to ASMR rather than as a direct result of consuming ASMR. This notion is consistent with current research that posits ASMR as an emotional regulation tool rather than a sensory response trigger [ 23 ].…”

YouTube, the Attention Economy and Digital Audience Interest in Sponsored ASMR Videos

“…Recent work in the Media Studies field includes Maddox (2021aMaddox ( , 2021b, Klausen (2021), Zappavigna (2020Zappavigna ( , 2021, Holmowaia & Danzis (2020), Starr et al (2020), Łapińska (2020), Waldron (2017) and Gallagher (2016). Examples of Psychology research on the subject can be seen in Swart et al (2021), Morales et al (2021), Roberts et al (2018Roberts et al ( , 2020Roberts et al ( , 2021, Janik & Osborne-Ford (2020), Cash et al (2018), as well as Fredborg et al (2017Fredborg et al ( , 2021. On the Neurosciences front, some notable works include Ohta & Inagaki (2021), Gyoung (2021), Maniago et al (2021), Idayati et al (2021), Fredborg et al (2021), Lee et al (2020), Smith et al (2020), Paszkiel et al (2020), Valtakari et al (2019), Poerio et al (2018), Lochte et al (2018), Barratt et al (2017), andSmith et al (2017).…”

Brain function effects of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) video viewing

“…It is believed that to experience tingling, one would wear headphones and choose a quiet, calm place, which is a very limited time and place. However, feeling relaxed and positive even when no tingling occurred, suggesting possible relief of chronic pain and coping with anxiety ( Barratt and Davis, 2015 ; Morales et al, 2021 ). ASMR is used by many young people to seek relaxation, even if they do not experience tingling.…”