Psychological and Physiological Effects of Ostracism Across Adulthood
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1
University of Newcastle, Australia
Aims: Younger adults have been found to be more effected by ostracism than older adults, but the mechanisms behind this are unclear. This study investigated the effect of ostracism on participants’ self-reported need satisfaction, mood and physiological arousal across adulthood and whether this relationship is moderated by quality of life (QoL) and perceived social support.
Method: Twenty early adulthood (aged 18 – 24), 11 middle adulthood (aged 40 – 60) and nine late adulthood (aged 75 and older) participants played Cyberball, a virtual ball tossing game. All participants completed two conditions which were counterbalanced across participants. In the inclusion condition they received the ball fairly, while in the exclusion condition participants received four ball tosses initially, then were excluded from the game. Physiological arousal was measures continuously using skin conductance. After each game participants reported their needs satisfaction and mood. Participants then completed the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List and the World Health Organisation Quality-of-Life Scales (WHOQOL-BREF).
Results: Ostracism negatively affected participants’ basic needs, F (2, 37) = 10.80, p < .001, and negative mood, F (2, 36) = 11.17, p < .001; however, the magnitude of the effect was larger in the younger group compared to the two older groups. This effect was not moderated by QoL and perceived social support, all p values being greater than .05. Expected differences between groups and between conditions were not found on physiological measures, F (5.35, 85.61) = 0.39, p = .864.
Conclusions: Although ostracism may be a potent experience for all individuals, early adulthood may experience increased sensitivity to ostracism relative to their older counterparts. These findings have important implications for the potential effects of ostracism in real social settings, however more investigation would be needed into the protective mechanisms in play for older adults.
Acknowledgements
Hunter Medical Research Institute
Keywords:
ostracism,
cyberball,
Skin conductance,
adulthood,
Fundamental needs
Conference:
ASP2016 - The 26th Annual Meeting of the Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Adelaide Australia, Adelaide,SA, Australia, 12 Dec - 14 Dec, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Oral Presentation
Topic:
Abstract (general)
Citation:
Wallis
K and
Kelly
M
(2016). Psychological and Physiological Effects of Ostracism Across Adulthood.
Conference Abstract:
ASP2016 - The 26th Annual Meeting of the Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Adelaide Australia.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2016.221.00019
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Received:
30 Oct 2016;
Published Online:
05 Dec 2016.
*
Correspondence:
Miss. Kimberley Wallis, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia, c3162825@uon.edu.au