Is stress contagious?
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Exams looming, a large unexpected bill, tension at work? These don’t have to be your problems for your health to be affected by them.
We all know what it’s like to feel stressed because of our relationship, money or work worries. But many of us also have to deal with the impact of stress on those close to us. And this second-hand stress can have a dramatic effect on our lives.
Are you susceptible?
Psychology Professor Elaine Hatfield of the University of Hawaii, and others, have carried out research in this area and developed the theory that, along with other feelings and emotions, stress is contagious – something we can catch from those around us.
Elaine explained there is an Emotional Contagion Scale – a set of 15 statements to measure susceptibility to ‘catching’ other peoples’ emotions. For instance, if you answer ‘always’, to the statement ‘I tense when overhearing an angry quarrel’ you’re likely to be more susceptible to emotional contagion than someone who answers ‘never’.
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