Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Multisensory processing of emotional cues predicts intrusive memories after virtual reality trauma

Heffer, Naomi; Dennie, Emma; Ashwin, Chris; Petrini, Karin; Karl, Anke

Multisensory processing of emotional cues predicts intrusive memories after virtual reality trauma Thumbnail


Authors

Naomi Heffer

Emma Dennie

Chris Ashwin

Karin Petrini

Anke Karl



Abstract

Research has shown that high trait anxiety can alter multisensory processing of threat cues (by amplifying integration of angry faces and voices); however, it remains unknown whether differences in multisensory processing play a role in the psychological response to trauma. This study examined the relationship between multisensory emotion processing and intrusive memories over seven days following exposure to an analogue trauma in a sample of 55 healthy young adults. We used an adapted version of the trauma film paradigm, where scenes showing a car accident trauma were presented using virtual reality, rather than a conventional 2D film. Multisensory processing was assessed prior to the trauma simulation using a forced choice emotion recognition paradigm with happy, sad and angry voice-only, face-only, audiovisual congruent (face and voice expressed matching emotions) and audiovisual incongruent expressions (face and voice expressed different emotions). We found that increased accuracy in recognising anger (but not happiness and sadness) in the audiovisual condition relative to the voice- and face-only conditions was associated with more intrusions following VR trauma. Despite previous results linking trait anxiety and intrusion development, no significant influence of trait anxiety on intrusion frequency was observed. Enhanced integration of threat-related information (i.e. angry faces and voices) could lead to overly threatening appraisals of stressful life events and result in greater intrusion development after trauma.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 3, 2023
Online Publication Date Apr 4, 2023
Publication Date Sep 30, 2023
Deposit Date Jan 10, 2025
Publicly Available Date Jan 10, 2025
Journal Virtual Reality
Print ISSN 1359-4338
Electronic ISSN 1434-9957
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 27
Issue 3
Pages 2043-2057
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-023-00784-1
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13608400
Additional Information Received: 17 May 2022; Accepted: 3 March 2023; First Online: 4 April 2023; : ; : The authors declare no competing interests.; : The study protocol was approved by the School of Psychology Ethics Committee at the University of Exeter.; : All participants provided informed written consent to participate.

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations