Researchers from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions explored how individuals respond to distressing and neutrally decorated masks and whether their personal life history, including past trauma and difficulty, influenced their perception of the images. The human visual system is a critical part of the brain’s functioning and understanding how life experiences affect a person’s perception of imagery is important.In a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers investigated how people react to distressing and neutral masks, and whether their personal history, especially experiences of trauma and difficulty, influences their perception of the images.
The team, led by Girija Kaimal, EdD, an associate professor, and recent doctoral graduate Asli Arslanbek-Evci, both from the College of Nursing and Health Professions, discovered that past traumatic events do affect how people perceive images related to trauma, and that neutral images generally elicit less emotional response compared to images depicting psychological and moral themes.The significance of the connection between personal trauma and our response to visual images is evident in this study,” stated Kaimal. “Healthcare providers and caregivers need to recognize the susceptibility to visual imagery in individuals who have experienced or witnessed trauma. Additionally, researchers can use these methods to gain a better understanding of the impact of traumatic experiences on brain function and structure,” added John Williamson, PhD, co-author of the paper and an associate professor at the University of Florida. Kaimal also mentioned the importance of being aware of the vulnerabilities and sensitivities to visual imagery for those with a history of trauma.The study revealed that besides the practical applications for enhancing medical treatments and aiding in trauma recovery, it also emphasizes our societal awareness of the effects of seeing upsetting images.
According to the research team, people’s reactions to images on masks (traumatic or neutral) were linked to their personal experiences with adversity and trauma. Specifically, images depicting injury or trauma triggered stronger emotional responses and arousal compared to neutral images.
“We discovered that images with highly emotional content, Distressing images, including distress and pain, were found to elicit strong emotions and a sense of personal relevance in individuals who have undergone adversities and trauma in their lives,” Arslanbek-Evci explained. “This does not necessarily mean that observing distressing content leads to negative outcomes. Instead, it indicates that people relate to visual content in different ways. For individuals who have experienced trauma, they may experience both emotional activation and resonance (a feeling of personal connection) with graphic images illustrating distress.”
Study participants completed an anonymous online survey by reacting to a series of mask images and comparing them.The Life Events Checklist was completed by the participants, in which they were asked if they had witnessed, experienced, or heard about a series of traumatic events. The masks in the images were created by military service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depicting various types of injuries. These images were then compared to neutral masks created by the research team. A total of 700 participants rated 98 masks based on their arousal, emotional response, and perceived personal relevance.
The use of mask images was based on their resemblance to the human face, which activates a distinct brain pathway in terms of recognition.”In addition, Kaimal stated that mask-making in art therapy allows individuals to create psychological distance to express themselves safely and effectively, depicting transformation and growth. This study highlights the impact of imagery in various areas such as mass communications, public health, and mental health care, showing how evocative images can promote personal connection and evoke emotions,” said Arslanbek-Evci.The researchers found that certain types of imagery in therapy can trigger memories related to past experiences. They suggest that future studies should explore how these triggers vary depending on factors like age, gender, the type of trauma experienced, and the specific kinds of imagery used, such as images of people, nature, or the environment.
