Key result
Being with others during emotional stress buffers startle inhibition versus being alone, regulating threat vigilance.
Why the study?
To deepen understanding of the stress-buffering effect of social support, focusing on startle reflex modulation during standardized stress induction as a function of proximity to social resources and relationship type.
Does physical proximity with social support (romantic partner or stranger) regulate startle reactivity during emotional stress induction compared to being alone in 70 participants?
Does physical proximity with social support (romantic partner or stranger) regulate startle reactivity during emotional stress induction compared to being alone in 70 participants?
Access to social resources during a standardized stressor buffers stress-induced startle inhibition, suggesting social proximity optimizes physiological regulation of threat vigilance.
Social proximity may buffer physiological threat vigilance; extends social support evidence but leaves open clinical translation.
Access to social support during emotional stress is one of the most important factors for the successful regulation of stress‐induced psychophysiological activation, and is predictive of improved health and well‐being. In this research we wanted to deepen our understanding of this buffering effect, focusing on the modulation of the startle reflex during a standardized stress induction as a function of the proximity with social resources as well as the relationship type with them. Seventy participants were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in one of three possible conditions: Alone, Together with their romantic partner, or Together with a stranger. Startle reactivity to a series of acoustic probes presented during the task was measured along with self‐reported levels of anxiety. Results indicate that, independently of the social manipulation, stress induction is associated with a strong inhibition of the startle reflex. Furthermore, we found that access to social resources buffers this startle inhibition, showing that being together with others when facing a stressor regulates threat vigilance. We interpret these findings through the lens of the Social Baseline Theory, suggesting that startle dynamically tracks the load sharing process by which proximity with social resources optimizes the physiological as well as cognitive regulation of behavior in a threatening environment.
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Maffei et al. (2026) studied Emotional stress (n=70). Presence of social support (romantic partner or stranger) vs. Alone condition was evaluated on Startle reactivity to acoustic probes and self-reported anxiety. Being together with others (romantic partner or stranger) during emotional stress buffered stress-induced startle inhibition compared to being alone, regulating threat vigilance.
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