The Role of Empathy in Contagious Itch: How  Personality Traits Influence Itch Perception

Objective: Contagious itch occurs when observing or hearing about scratching induces itch sensations. The psychological factors amplifying this response remain underexplored. This study investigates how visual, auditory, and conversational stimuli together elicit itch and whether empathy, the ability to share others’ feelings, moderates this effect. It also examines how different dimensions of empathy – perspective taking, empathic concern, fantasy, and personal distress – affect susceptibility to contagious itch. Methods: Seventy-three participants watched a video vignette where an actress scratched herself while discussing itch. Baseline itch and post-vignette itch intensity was measured using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) from 0 (“no itch”) to 10 (“worst itch imaginable”). Empathy was measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Baseline itch and post-vignette itch were compared to see if the combination of cues induced itch. Empathy and its subscales were analyzed to...Show moreObjective: Contagious itch occurs when observing or hearing about scratching induces itch sensations. The psychological factors amplifying this response remain underexplored. This study investigates how visual, auditory, and conversational stimuli together elicit itch and whether empathy, the ability to share others’ feelings, moderates this effect. It also examines how different dimensions of empathy – perspective taking, empathic concern, fantasy, and personal distress – affect susceptibility to contagious itch. Methods: Seventy-three participants watched a video vignette where an actress scratched herself while discussing itch. Baseline itch and post-vignette itch intensity was measured using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) from 0 (“no itch”) to 10 (“worst itch imaginable”). Empathy was measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Baseline itch and post-vignette itch were compared to see if the combination of cues induced itch. Empathy and its subscales were analyzed to determine whether they moderated the association between baseline itch and post-vignette itch. Results: Paired t-tests revealed a significant increase in itch levels post-vignette (Baseline: M = 0.9, SD = 1.5; Post-vignette: M = 2.0, SD = 2.4; t(72) = -4.25, p < .001, d = 0.50, 95% Cl [-0.74, -0.25]). The moderation analysis showed that empathy significantly moderated the relationship between baseline and post-vignette itch (B = 0.024, SE = 0.012, t = 2.09, p = .041), with higher empathy amplifying the itch responses. Multiple regression revealed that personal distress (B = .224, t = 3.64, p < .001) and perspective-taking (B = .213, t = 2.54, p = .014) increased susceptibility to contagious itch, while fantasy (B = -.137, t = -2.03, p = .046) caused less itch. Empathic concern had no effect on this relationship (B =-.103, t = -1.47, p = .147) Conclusion: The findings indicate that a combination of cues can induce contagious itch. Empathy – particularly personal distress and perspective-taking – is linked to heightened susceptibility to contagious itch. The results need further investigation into the extent and nature of this association, contributing to a broader understanding of social and psychological factors in itch perception.Show less

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The Role of Empathy in Contagious Itch: How Personality Traits Influence Itch Perception