Repressors vs. low- and high-anxious coping styles: EEG differences during a modified version of the emotional Stroop task

In this study of 49 undergraduate university women, those exhibiting a repressive coping style – characterized by defensiveness against negative emotions – were compared to women with low-anxious and high-anxious coping styles during neutral and negative versions of a computerized emotional Stroop task (EST). Using Weinberger, Schwartz, and Davidson's (1979) approach, the present study implemented the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability and the Spielberger Trait Anxiety scales for selection. Participants viewed neutral or negative words during the EST but responded to the color of the word. Analysis of continuous EEG recordings for the negative vs. neutral words revealed that the repressor group differed significantly from the other two groups in many aspects but that low- vs. high-anxious groups differed in fewer aspects. Based upon Eysenck and Derakshan's (1997) model, repressor women appear to differ from low- and high-anxious women by utilizing an inhibitory process to avoid perceiving low-intensity threatening stimuli.

Research Highlights
► Repressors made more errors in the Negative Stroop Task than other coping styles.
► There were no significant differences in reaction time between groups.
► Repressors produced more mid and high alpha than other coping styles.
► Repressors produced the most beta, and low-anxious individuals produced the least.