Bachelor’s thesis, 15 ECTS
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, 180 ECTS Spring 2021
Supervisor: Kalyani Vishwanatha
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response and
State-Trait Anxiety in Adults
Malin Fagerström
to thank Kalyani Vishwanatha who supervised this work and contributed with invaluable knowledge, time, guidance and energy.
Abstract
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a rapidly emerging but understudied sensory concept which according to earlier studies can help relieve symptoms of for example depression, anxiety, pain and stress while creating feelings of relaxation. The experience begins with a triggering audio or audio-visual stimulus which causes a physical reaction described as a tingling sensation beginning at the back of the head and further towards the periphery of the body. A previous study suggested that ASMR and neuroticism are related. Anxiety is a sub- facet of neuroticism, which is why this study explored the relationship between State- and Trait-anxiety (S- and T-Anxiety) and ASMR to investigate if and in what way they are related.
The research questions were “Is the level of State and Trait Anxiety associated with the level of ASMR experience?” and “Are there certain ASMR stimuli that are stronger related to State and Trait Anxiety than other ASMR stimuli?”. A total of 35 participants completed the questionnaires, of which the majority were between the ages 25-34, female, employed, co- living and answered that their highest level of education were studies at college/university. The results from the current self-report correlational study showed that ASMR and T-Anxiety are significantly negatively correlated, however, it failed to show any significant correlation between S-Anxiety and ASMR. Results also showed that one ASMR stimulus, finger flutters, significantly correlated negatively with T-Anxiety. The rest of the individual stimuli failed to show significant correlations with either S- or T-Anxiety. This suggests that anxiety may not be the driving sub-facet when searching for explanations for what makes ASMR and neuroticism associated. It also raises the question whether or not ASMR could be suitable as a therapeutic method for managing high T-Anxiety. Finally, it seems that individual ASMR- stimulus vary in their connection to anxiety. However, it is only possible to draw conclusions on this sample, not the population, due to the small sample size. Further studies are needed to at least verify these results.
Keywords: ASMR, STAI, self-report, anxiety.
Sammanfattning
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) är ett snabbt växande men understuderat sensoriskt koncept som enligt tidigare studier kan underlätta symptom av exempelvis depression, ångest, smärta och stress samtidigt som det skapar en avslappnande känsla.
Upplevelsen börjar med ett triggande audio eller audiovisuellt stimuli som orsakar en fysisk reaktion beskrivet som en pirrig känsla med början vid bakhuvudet och vidare mot kroppens periferi. En studie om ämnet föreslog att ASMR och neuroticism är relaterade. Ångest är en del av neuroticism, varför den här studien undersöker relationen mellan ASMR och State- och Trait-Anxiety (S- och T-Anxiety) för att undersöka hur och på vilket sätt de är relaterade.
Forskningsfrågorna var ”Är nivån av State och Trait Anxiety associerad med nivån av ASMR upplevelse?” och ”Finns det specifika ASMR stimuli som är starkare relaterade till State och Trait Anxiety än andra ASMR stimuli?”. Totalt slutförde 35 deltagare enkäterna, av vilka majoriteten var mellan åldrarna 25–34, kvinnor, anställda, sammanlevande och rapporterade att studier på universitet/högskola var deras högsta nivå av utbildning. Resultaten från den här självrapporterings-korrelationsstudien visade att ASMR och T-Anxiety är signifikant negativt korrelerade, men det kunde inte visas att S-Anxiety och ASMR är signifikant korrelerade. De visade också att ett ASMR stimuli, finger flutters, är signifikant negativt korrelerad med T- Anxiety. Resterande individuella ASMR stimuli hade ingen signifikant korrelation med vare sig S- eller T-Anxiety. Det här tyder på att ångest kanske inte är den drivande underkategorin i jakt på förklaring vad som gör ASMR och neuroticism associerade. Det väcker också frågan
om ASMR verkligen hade varit en lämplig terapeutisk metod för hantering av hög T-Anxiety.
Till sist verkar det som att individuella ASMR stimuli varierar i sin relation till ångest. Viktigt att tillägga är dock att det bara är möjligt att dra slutsatser om urvalet, inte populationen, på grund av storleken på urvalet. Ytterligare studier behövs för att åtminstone verifiera dessa resultat.
Nyckelord: ASMR, STAI, själv-rapportering, ångest.
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response and State-Trait Anxiety in Adults The perceptual condition Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), named by Jennifer Allen, became popular on the internet 2010 (del Campo & Kehle, 2016). ASMR can be defined as a temporary physical reaction to a specific stimulus that triggers certain pleasant sensations throughout the body (Barratt & Davis, 2015). The ASMR triggers can vary amongst individuals, though triggers that are known to have caused ASMR are whispers, certain words, hearing and watching someone brush their hair, crisp sounds, slow motions and close-up personal attention (e.g., haircut or facial treatment simulations) (Barratt & Davis, 2015).
Audiovisual ASMR-videos are common within the internet communities that form around the subject on websites like YouTube and Reddit (Kovacevich & Huron, 2019). There are multiple YouTube-channels with millions of subscribers, where individuals, or so-called “ASMR-tists”, produce a wide variation of videos with different stimuli (del Campo & Kehle, 2016; Barratt
& Davis, 2015). ASMR have according to survey studies been used as a temporary relief to depression, stress and pain, as well as a tool to increase relaxation and contentment. Barratt and Davis (2015) found that 98% of the participants who uses ASMR agreed that they used ASMR to relax, 82% said that ASMR helped them sleep and 70% reported that ASMR helped them deal with stress. There have even been reports that ASMR can help manage anxiety and stress which causes issues in daily functioning when other interventions could not. It was suggested that future studies should investigate the possibilities of using ASMR as a therapeutic method, like meditation and mindfulness.
To get a better idea of what ASMR is, it can be compared to another concept. This sensory experience has in earlier studies been linked to the concept “frisson” which can be defined as pleasurable physical chills triggered by music. Some similarities between frisson and ASMR are that the reaction occurs when the mind is occupied with the stimulus, that the triggering stimulus differ between individuals and that there is an affective level (Fredborg, Clark & Smith, 2017). Frisson spreads rapidly through the body, lasts shortly, is described often as “goosebumps” or “chills” and is connected to feelings of excitement (Kovacevich &
Huron, 2019; Fredborg et al, 2017). ASMR, on the other hand, spreads slowly and mainly through the neck and head region, further through the body's periphery and lasts up to several minutes. The sensory experience is often described as “tingles”, and the intensity moves in a
“wave-like” pattern throughout the triggering stimulus (Fredborg et al, 2017; Barratt & Davis, 2015).
A study by Fredborg et al (2017) on ASMR and personality traits showed that participants who reported that they experienced ASMR also scored significantly high on the traits Openness-to-Experience and Neuroticism, compared to the control group who did not experience ASMR. According to the study, even though the Big Five Inventory (BFI) is well used, it does not give nuanced images of personality. It was suggested that further studies exploring beyond the personality traits of BFI into the sub-facet of personality should be conducted (Fredborg et al, 2017).
Anxiety is commonly associated as a characteristic in the neurotic dimension of BFI (John & Srivastava, 1999). It can be studied as a sub-facet of personality that Fredborg et al (2017) suggested should be further explored. Anxiety as a concept of psychophysiological response traces back to Sigmund Freud (Freud, 1936). In modern days anxiety can be defined as a mental state and defensive behavior with a feeling of sustained tension, worry about future events, or a feeling of uncertain danger and elevated vigilance (Grillon, 2008). Trait anxiety (T-Anxiety) is categorized as a stable personality feature while State anxiety (S-Anxiety) is categorized as an intense temporary state (Spielberger, 1972). To distinguish between state or trait anxiety and to determine whether the types are correlated or independent is a goal yet to
be reached within the field of science (Saviola, Pappaianni & Monti, 2020). Authors have argued for both cases (Vagg, Spielberger, & O’Hearn, 1980; Endler & Kokovski, 2001; Endler, Parker, Bagby & Cox, 1991).
Studies on the subject ASMR and S- or T-Anxiety are non-existent. There are however a small set of studies on other comparable concepts. In a study by Weiland, Jelinek, Macarow, Samartzis, Brown, Grierson & Winter (2011) it was explored whether self-rated levels of anxiety could be affected by specific sounds, nature sounds and compositions when listened to with headphones. Results showed that there was a reduction in S-Anxiety levels after exposure.
It was suggested that future studies should explore the possibility of specific sounds and compositions as methods for anxiety-relief compared to common music (Weiland et al, 2011).
The relationship of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and misophonia have been studied within clinical populations. AS defines as a “trait-like tendency to react fearfully to anxiety symptoms, predisposing an individual to the development of panic problems” (Cusack, 2017, p. 15).
Misophonia have been linked to ASMR and can be defined as decreased tolerance for specific sounds which create uncomfortable psychophysical sensations. It has been suggested that ASMR and misophonia represents two ends of sound sensitivity – ASMR being pleasurable and misophonia the opposite. ASMR and misophonia use similar triggering stimuli (McErlean
& Banissy, 2018). Results showed that AS levels were increased in those who experience misophonia and further research on the AS dimensions in relation to misophonia were suggested (Cusack, 2017).
The relationship between anxiety and sensory sensitivity and sensory over-responsivity (SOR) have been studied amongst children on the autism spectrum. (Green, Ben-Sasson, Soto
& Carter, 2012; Neil, Olsson & Pellicano, 2016). Sensory sensitivity defines as unusual responses to sensory input and is common within individuals with autism. Variation is known within and between individuals and involves slow or no reaction to stimulus expected to cause response (hypo-sensitivity), actively seeking or craving for certain stimulus (sensory seeking) and sensitivity to sensory input (hyper-sensitivity) (Neil et al, 2016). SOR defines as a condition characterized by elevated and unusual negative reactivity to sensory stimulus (Green et al, 2012). SOR and sensory sensitivity can somewhat be compared to ASMR because it is all about response to sensory stimulus, because the sensitivity to ASMR stimuli and overall ability to even experience ASMR varies amongst individuals and because ASMR has been connected to sound sensitivity (McErlean & Barnissy, 2018). Results in a study by Green et al (2012) showed that SOR and anxiety are correlated amongst children with autism. It was suggested that further longitudinal studies examining the relationship should be conducted.
Another study by Neil et al (2016) showed a relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and sensory sensitivity in children with autism that could partly be explained by anxiety levels.
It was suggested that further studies should collect self-reported data regarding self-perceived sensory sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety from children both with and without autism.
Aim and Research Questions
In view of studies described above, there are clearly some interesting results on anxiety and concepts with properties like ASMR within both clinical populations and non-clinical. But there also seem to be a need for exploration to deepen the knowledge about how S- and T- Anxiety are related to sensory stimuli, as suggested in earlier studies. This study aims at exploring if there is a relationship between ASMR and State-Trait Anxiety within non-clinical adult individuals. The research questions are:
I. Is the level of State and Trait Anxiety associated with the level of ASMR experience?
II. Are there certain ASMR stimuli that are stronger related to State and Trait Anxiety than other ASMR stimuli?
Method Participants
The participants were recruited online through Facebook and through snowball sampling. Individuals with diagnosed mental illnesses were excluded from the study to avoid that anxiety reported is part of any diagnosis or health related condition and to avoid eventual sensitive data. Individuals without functioning hearing and vision were also excluded, as the study is based on audiovisual ability. The participants consisted of 35 adult individuals. Two participants were removed from the sample due to self-identifying as non-ASMR experiencing with a total ASMR score of .00. In total, 33 participants were included in the analysis. The most frequently reported age was 25-34 years old. The most frequently reported gender was female. Most reported that they do not live alone. The most frequently reported occupation was employed. The most frequently reported highest educational level were studies at college/university. Participant characteristics are presented in Table 1.
Table 1
Participant characteristics.
Participant groups N %
Age
18-24 years old 11 33.33
25–34 years old 12 36.36
35–44 years old 3 9.09
45 – 54 years old 1 3.03
55–65 years old 6 18.18
Gender
Female 23 69.70
Male 9 27.27
I do not want to answer
1 3.03
Living situation
Alone 12 36.36
Not alone 21 63.64
Occupation
Student 14 42.42
Employed 17 51.52
Self employed 2 6.06
Education High school diploma or equivalent
9 27.27
Post-secondary education, not college / university
2 6.06
Studies at college / university
15 45.45
Degree from college / university
7 21.21
Total 33 100
Instruments and Materials
The material used in this study consisted of demographic questions regarding age, gender, living situation, occupation and education level, one typical ASMR-video (Gibi ASMR, 2018), one ASMR survey, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (Spielberg, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg & Jacobs, 1983). The entire survey was conducted online via the survey-tool Websurvey, provided by Umeå University. There was no time limit for completion.
The video was collected from YouTube and chosen dependent of a few criteria: Length, amount/types of stimuli and popularity/reach. The full length of the video is 24:09 minutes, however the choice was given to watch each stimulus for only one minute to optimize time.
There are seven stimuli presented: Finger flutters, cork coaster, cork candle, brushing you/camera, touching you/camera, brushing/scratching mics and close-up whispers. These stimuli in the video can be defined as common ASMR stimuli on two levels. Firstly, the video itself is a result of top requested stimuli from the ASMR community on YouTube. Second, the stimuli match a list of common ASMR triggers from one earlier study (Fredborg et al, 2017).
The list was created based on data about common ASMR triggers from another survey study (Barratt & Davis, 2016). The reach is quite large with nearly five million views to this date. It was uploaded to YouTube 2018 on the channel Gibi ASMR, which to date has nearly 3 million subscribers and places amongst the most popular ASMR-focused channels on YouTube.
The ASMR survey was constructed based on the study by (Fredborg et al, 2017). The seven stimuli from the video were to be rated according to the intensity of the ASMR experience. Each stimulus could be rated 0-6, where 0 indicated no ASMR experience and 6 indicated most intense ASMR experience. One optional section was inserted to provide opportunity to rate stimuli not on the list. The possible range of the score was .00-42.00. The entire ASMR survey can be found in Appendix A.
The STAI is a self-evaluation questionnaire that measures state and trait anxiety. It is divided into 2 sections, containing 40 items in total. The form for S-Anxiety is given first, and assesses how the individual feel “right now, at this moment”. 20 claims are stated, each with four options for rating the intensity of the feeling: (1) not at all, (2) somewhat, (3) moderately so and (4) very much so. The form for T-Anxiety is given next and assesses how the individual generally feel. 20 claims are stated, each with four options for rating the frequency of the feeling: (1) almost never, (2) sometimes, (3) often and (4) almost always. The possible range of the score was 20-80. The inventory has no time limit, and the instructions are clearly stated with a prompt to read the instructions carefully before beginning. STAI is one of the most used measurements of anxiety today (Weiland et al, 2011). Recent studies on psychometric properties of the measurement shows it has high reliability and validity and correlates significantly with other anxiety measurements (Ortuno-Sierra, Garcia-Velasco, Inchausti, Debbane and Fonseca-Pedrero, 2016).
Procedure Data Collection
The entire survey was conducted online. After consent was given, the participants began by answering the demographic questions. Next, they viewed the ASMR video. All were
instructed to use fully working headphones and preferably sit in a calm environment to avoid environmental disturbance. The participants were instructed to watch each stimulus for at least one minute before moving on to the next. They were given this option not to watch the entire video because of the risk of fall out due to decrease in interest, especially for those who experience little to no ASMR. After they have viewed the video, they answered the ASMR survey on their experience of the stimuli in the video. The final step was the STAI.
Analysis Method
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 26 (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. The individual scores needed to be operationalized into analyzable variables. All variables were handled as continuous variables. The S-Anxiety scores and T-Anxiety scores was calculated according to the manual and computed into two variables (Spielberg, 1972). The range of S-Anxiety scores amongst the respondents was 23-66 and of T-Anxiety scores 21-66.
The seven ASMR stimuli scores was computed into a variable consisting of the combined results of the stimuli. The range of ASMR scores amongst the respondents was 5.00-36.00.
To answer the research question “Is the level of State and Trait Anxiety associated with the level of ASMR experience?”, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was computed to assess the strength of the relationship between the ASMR scores, S-Anxiety scores and T-Anxiety scores.
To answer the research question “Are there certain ASMR stimuli that are stronger related to State and Trait Anxiety than other ASMR stimuli?”, Pearson’s correlation was computed to assess the strength of the relationship between the scores of each ASMR stimulus and S-Anxiety scores and T-Anxiety scores.
Ethical Considerations
The four principles of research ethics by the Swedish Research Council (2002) are applied in this study. All the participants gave mandatory informed consent before beginning.
All were instructed that should they not agree to the terms of participation they were thanked for their time and could simply close the tab. They were informed that participation is voluntary and that they could stop their participation anytime without giving any reasons for doing so.
The study was conducted online, providing the participants with the choice of which environment they choose to be in and how much time they spend on the survey. Data was collected via Websurvey. All collected data was stored on an external hard drive which was stored in a safe. The data will ever only be used for the purpose of this study and was destroyed when the study was completed. The participants were informed that the data is confidential, and no unauthorized person would access it. The data is demographic, but anonymous and not identifying. The surveys are formed in such a way that it is impossible to connect answers to a specific person. The participants were informed before the participation where and when they can access the results of the study.
Results
The Relationship Between ASMR Scores and S- and T-Anxiety Scores
Pearson’s correlation was computed to assess the strength of the relationship between ASMR scores and S- and T-Anxiety scores. There was no statistically significant correlation between the ASMR scores and S-Anxiety scores, r(31) = -.07, p = .71. There was a statistically significant moderately negative correlation between the ASMR scores and T-Anxiety scores, r(31) = -.39, p = .03. The results are reported in Table 2.
Table 2
Correlations of ASMR scores and S- and T-Anxiety scores.
ASMR and S- and T- Anxiety scores
N r p
ASMR score and S- Anxiety score
33 -.07 .71
ASMR score and T- Anxiety score
33 -.39 .03*
Note. The * indicates that p < .05.
The Relationship Between Each ASMR Stimulus Score and S- and T-Anxiety Scores Pearson’s correlation was computed to assess the strength of the relationship between each ASMR stimulus and S-Anxiety. There was no statistically significant correlation between any of the ASMR stimuli and S-Anxiety. The results are reported in Table 3.
Table 3
Correlations of each ASMR stimulus and S-Anxiety.
ASMR stimuli N r p
Finger flutters 33 -.18 .32
Cork coaster 33 -.07 .69
Cork candle 33 .01 .98
Brushing you/camera
33 -.05 .77
Touching you/camera
33 -.02 .91
Brushing/Scratching mics
33 .01 .96
Close up whispers 33 .02 .93
Pearson’s correlation was computed to assess the strength of the relationship between each ASMR stimulus and T-Anxiety. There was a statistically significant moderately negative correlation between the ASMR stimulus finger flutters and T-Anxiety, r(31) = -.34, p = .05.
None of the other stimuli showed significant correlations with T-Anxiety. The results are reported in Table 4.
Table 4
Correlations of each ASMR stimuli and T-Anxiety.
ASMR stimuli N r p
Finger flutters 33 -.34 .05*
Cork coaster 33 -.38 .06
Cork candle 33 -.14 .45
Brushing you/camera
33 .01 .97
Touching you/camera
33 -.28 .12
Brushing/Scratching mics
33 -.27 .21
Close up whispers 33 -.30 .09
Note. The * indicates that p < .05.
Discussion
The aim of the current study was to explore whether there is a relationship between ASMR and S- and T- Anxiety within non-clinical adult individuals. The first research questions were “Is the level of State and Trait Anxiety associated with the level of ASMR experience?”.
The results from the analysis seem to suggest that ASMR and S-Anxiety does not correlate significantly. ASMR and T-Anxiety on the other hand showed a significant negative correlation. The second research question was “Are there certain ASMR stimuli that are stronger related to State and Trait Anxiety than other ASMR stimuli?”. The results from the analysis seem to suggest that there is a significant negative correlation between the ASMR stimulus finger flutters and T-Anxiety. There was no significant correlation between any of the other individual stimulus and S- or T-anxiety.
Previous studies found that individuals experiencing ASMR scored significantly higher on neuroticism than controls who did not experience ASMR (Fredborg et al, 2017). BFI does not give nuanced images of personality, therefore it was important to investigate what part of neuroticism could be responsible for the connection to the ASMR experience and the overall ability to experience it. Since anxiety is a sub-facet of neuroticism, the current study could give an indication on whether it is the anxiety as a sub-facet of neuroticism that drives the relationship between neuroticism and ASMR. The correlation between T-anxiety and ASMR was negative, which could indicate that T-Anxiety is not the sub-facet of neuroticism that decides whether an individual experiences ASMR or not. Maybe other sub-facets of neuroticism could be more interesting to look at rather than anxiety, in order to find out what part of neuroticism is related to ASMR.
Investigation of the usage of ASMR as a therapeutic method have earlier been suggested due to its supposedly positive effect on depression, anxiety, stress, sleep and pain (Barratt & Davis, 2015). The current study cannot comment on reduction or increase since S- Anxiety measurements were conducted only once after exposure to the ASMR stimuli.
However, the results from the current study seem to suggest that ASMR and S-Anxiety are not correlated, indicating that ASMR may not influence S-Anxiety. But as mentioned, a statement as such is more of a speculation since no comments regarding change in S-Anxiety can be done within the frames of this study. Regarding whether ASMR could be used as a therapeutic method for T-Anxiety, the results indicate that individuals experiencing higher levels of ASMR score lower on T-Anxiety. Individuals with higher T-Anxiety scores may not be as prone to experiencing ASMR, raising the question whether ASMR would be a suitable therapeutic method for managing high T-Anxiety.
It is reasonable to suspect that the ASMR stimuli themselves could be interesting to look at based on the fact that studies have shown that ASMR triggering stimuli seem to vary amongst and within individuals (Barratt & Davis, 2015). Besides, in the study by Weiland et al (2011), it was shown that sounds in headphones can reduce S-Anxiety levels. The current study seems to suggest that some stimuli correlate stronger with anxiety than others. Finger flutters was the only individual stimulus that had a significant correlation, and only with T- Anxiety. It is not yet fully established what kind of stimulus triggers ASMR. In the current study stimulus was used that typically triggers ASMR, which is based on the fact that the video where they were presented comes from a popular ASMR creator and the stimuli have been used in previous studies (Fredborg et al, 2017; Barratt & Davis, 2015). So, even though multiple stimuli were presented, only one correlated significantly, which could imply that the presented stimulus is of much importance when studying ASMR since it seems not all typically triggering stimuli have the same connection to anxiety.
Another note is that since the concept of misophonia may belong with ASMR in the larger concept of sound sensitivity, as suggested in earlier studies by McErlean & Banissy (2018). Results from the current study could imply that there is some kind of relationship between anxiety in the trait dimension and sound sensitivity. If ASMR represents the pleasant experience of sound sensitivity, and misophonia the unpleasant, maybe individuals with high T-Anxiety scores do not experience pleasant sound experiences like ASMR in the same amount as individuals with low T-anxiety scores.
Limitations and Directions for Future Research
This data set is naturally sensitive to outliers and demographic differences because of the sample size (n = 33). It is not unlikely that demographic differences and outliers could skew the results (Bryman, 2018). There is overrepresentation in certain demographic groups which could be due to both sampling techniques and size. Future research should use larger sample sizes less sensitive for outliers with more evenly distributed participant characteristics to verify results in the current study and further control for demographic influences.
The ASMR video was given before the anxiety survey in this study. Future studies should conduct the STAI both before and after the ASMR stimuli to study the immediate affects the ASMR stimuli could have on S-Anxiety results. Especially since earlier studies showed a decrease in S-Anxiety after exposure to nature sounds and compositions (Weiland et al, 2011).
The current study cannot control for confounds either, since it does not have a control group.
An experimental study design with a non-ASMR experiencing control group could be suitable.
Other ASMR stimuli could be used to further investigate the relationship between anxiety and ASMR since earlier studies suggested that triggering ASMR stimuli vary amongst individuals (Barratt & Davis, 2015). It could be interesting to further explore different stimuli and their relationship to anxiety, misophonia, ASMR and sound sensitivity. Besides, researching triggering ASMR stimuli could clarify how ASMR can be related to other concepts like misophonia.
Conclusion
The results from the analysis showed that ASMR and T-Anxiety are negatively correlated, however, it failed to show any significant correlation between S-Anxiety and ASMR. Results also showed that one ASMR stimulus, finger flutters, significantly correlated negatively with T-Anxiety. The rest of the individual stimuli failed to show significant correlations with either S- or T-Anxiety. This suggests that anxiety may not be the driving sub- facet when searching for explanations for what makes ASMR and neuroticism associated. It also raises question whether or not ASMR could be suitable as a therapeutic method for managing high T-Anxiety. Finally, it seems individual ASMR stimulus vary in their connection to anxiety.
The subject is understudied, and these results could help shed some light on the possible connection between ASMR and anxiety. However, it is only possible to draw conclusions on this sample, not the population, due to the small number of respondents. Further studies are needed to at least verify these results.
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Appendix A
Invitation to participate in study on Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response and State-Trait Anxiety
This invitation goes out to you who are at least 18 years old, have functioning vision and hearing, and have not been diagnosed with mental health illness. This study is part of a bachelor thesis conducted at the institution of psychology at Umeå University with Kalyani Vishwanatha as supervisor.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study is to explore the level of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) and the level of State-Trait Anxiety within the same adult individual.
What is ASMR?
ASMR can be defined as a temporary physical reaction to a specific stimulus that triggers certain pleasant sensations throughout the body. Individuals have reported that the feeling spreads slowly and mainly through the neck and head region, further through the periphery of the body and can last up to several minutes. The sensory experience is often described as
“tingles”, and the intensity moves in a “wave-like” pattern throughout the triggering stimulus.
The ASMR triggers can vary amongst individuals but whispers and scratching sounds are stimuli that commonly trigger ASMR.
What is State-Trait Anxiety?
State anxiety refers to an emotional temporary state at a certain level of intensity. Trait anxiety refers to stable differences in anxiety-proneness amongst individuals. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) is a well-known and used tool to measure state and trait anxiety through self-report scales. STAI will be used within this survey for the purposes of this thesis. Please note that anxiety that is experienced as a symptom of any mental health illness is not evaluated here.
What does the participation mean?
The material contains of five demographic questions, one video and two self-evaluation surveys. Participation mean you will finish in four steps. First, you answer the demographic questions. Second, you watch one video that typically causes ASMR. When you watch the video, you must use fully functioning headphones, turn on the sound and preferably sit in a calm environment so that you can focus on the sound from the video without disturbance.
Third, after you have viewed the video, you will immediately answer one ASMR survey on your experience of the video. Fourth, directly after the ASMR survey you will move on to the STAI survey, which will be the final step. When you are finished you simply click the button
“Finished” to send in your answers. The participation will take about 15-20 minutes, watching the video included. Make sure you read the instructions thoroughly before beginning.
Voluntariness
Participation in the study is voluntary. You can cancel your participation at any time, without explanation.
Data management
No identifying information will be collected, meaning that there will be no way for anyone reading the answers, the author included, to connect them with a certain person. All collected data is stored on an external hard drive which is stored in a safe. The data is destroyed when the study is completed. The results will be reported in such a way that no individual
participants can be identified. No unauthorized persons will take part of the data.
Where can you find the results?
If you are interested in the results of the study, you can find the finished thesis by the end of January 2021 at www.diva-portal.org by searching the name of the author. Note that delays in publishing can occur.
Contact
If you have any questions or if you want to know more, you can contact the author at asmrstudy20@gmail.com.
Best regards, Malin Fagerström
Informed consent
By clicking this box and continuing I assure that:
✓ I understand the purpose of the study and what I agree upon through my participation.
✓ I know that my participation is voluntary and that I can withdraw my participation at any time by closing the tab.
✓ I am at least 18 years old, have functioning vision and hearing, and I have not been diagnosed with mental health illness.
If the terms are not agreed upon, simply close this tab. Thank you for your time.
o Yes
First step: Answer the demographic questions Age
What is your current age?
o 18-24 years old o 25-34 years old o 35-44 years old o 45-54 years old o 55-64 years old o 65 years or older
Gender
Select one of the options.
o Female o Male o Other
o I do not want to answer Living situation
Do you live alone?
o Yes o No Occupation
What is your current occupation?
o Student o Employed o Self-employed o Out of work o Retired
o Unable to work o Other
Education
What is your highest level of completed education?
o Primary school or equivalent (Swedish translation: Grundskola eller motsvarande) o High school diploma or equivalent (Swedish translation: Gymnasieexamen eller
motsvarande)
o Post-secondary education, not college / university (Swedish translation:
Eftergymnasial utbildning, ej högskola / universitet)
o Studies at college / university (Swedish translation: Studier vid högskola / universitet) o Degree from college / university (Swedish translation: Examen från högskola /
universitet)
Second step: Watch the ASMR video
You will now watch one video that typically causes ASMR. When you watch the video, you have to use fully functioning headphones, turn on the sound and preferably sit in a calm environment so that you can focus on the sound from the video without disturbance. After you have viewed the video, you will immediately answer one ASMR survey on your experience of the video.
The video is 24 minutes long, however it is voluntary to watch the entire video. It is divided into sections where one stimulus, for example "cork coaster" or "close up whispers", is presented at a time. It is enough that you watch each stimulus for one minute, but make sure you watch them all. Below the timestamps from the video are presented. You can also find them in the description of the video.
Timestamps:
Finger Flutters - 0:00 Cork Coaster - 1:40
Cork Candle - 4:15
Finger Flutter (The Flutters Strike Back) - 7:00 until 7:30 Brushing You/Camera - 7:45
Touching You/Camera - 11:15
Finger Flutter (Return of the Flutters) - 12:50 until 13:10 Brushing/Scratching Mics - 13:20
Finger Flutter (The Flutters Awaken) - 18:45 until 19:05 Close Up Whispers - 19:15 until end.
To open the video, simply copy and paste the link below. When you copy this link, please paste it to a separate tab to avoid loss of the present tab.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUo1JXnlRXY&feature=youtu.be&t=1
Third step: Answer the ASMR survey
You are now entering the ASMR survey. Make sure you read the instructions before
answering. There are no right or wrong answers. Answer to your best ability and knowledge.
Experienced intensity of common ASMR stimuli (please select the appropriate number according to the scale)
Please evaluate whether or not the following stimuli from the video trigger your ASMR, and if so, how intense the ASMR experience is on average when engaging with those stimuli.
Intensity Scale (higher numbers represent increasing intensity):
0 = No Tingles 1
2
3 = Moderately Intense 4
5
6 = Most Intense ASMR Experience
For example, if whispering triggers the most intense tingles for someone, they would label that stimulus a "6".
NOTE
**You specify the optional stimulus by clicking the row to the left. Then rate the intensity as usual.**
Finger Flutters o 0 o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 o 5 o 6 Cork Coaster
o 0 o 1 o 2 o 3
o 4 o 5 o 6 Cork Candle
o 0 o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 o 5 o 6
Brushing You/Camera o 0
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 o 5 o 6
Touching You/Camera o 0
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 o 5 o 6
Brushing/Scratching Mics o 0
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 o 5 o 6
Close Up Whispers o 0
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 o 5 o 6
$60: *Optional* Other (please specify) o 0
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
o 5 o 6
Fourth step: Answer the STAI survey
You are now entering the STAI survey. Make sure you read the instructions before answering. There are no right or wrong answers. Answer after your best ability and knowledge.
NOTE **The surveys are different, please read both the instructions**
State-Anxiety
A number of statements which people have used to describe themselves are given below.
Read each statement and then click the appropriate number to the right of the statement to indicate how you feel RIGHT NOW, that is, AT THIS MOMENT. There are no right or wrong answers. Do not spend too much time on any one statement but give the answer which seems to describe your present feelings best.
The scale (higher numbers represent increased support for the claim).
1 = Not at all 2 = Somewhat 3 = Moderately so 4 = Very much so
I feel calm o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel secure
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I am tense
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel strained
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel at ease
o 1 o 2
o 3 o 4 I feel upset
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
I am presently worrying over possible misfortunes o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel satisfied
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel frightened o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel comfortable o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel self-confident o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel nervous
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I am jittery
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel indecisive o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4 I am relaxed
o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel content
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I am worried
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel confused
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel steady
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel pleasant
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
Trait-Anxiety
A number of statements which people have used to describe themselves are given below.
Read each statement and then click the appropriate number to the right of the statement to indicate how you GENERALLY feel.
The scale (higher numbers represent increased support for the claim).
1 = Almost never 2 = Sometimes 3 = Often
4 = Almost always
I feel pleasant o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel nervous and restless o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel satisfied with myself o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I wish I could be as happy as others seem to be o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel like a failure o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel rested
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
I am “calm, cool, and collected”
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel that difficulties are piling up so that I cannot overcome them o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I worry too much over something that really doesn’t matter o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4 I am happy
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
I have disturbing thoughts o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I lack self-confidence
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4 I feel secure
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
I make decisions easily o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I feel inadequate o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4 I am content
o 1 o 2 o 3 o 4
Some unimportant thought runs through my mind and bothers me o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I take disappointments so keenly that I can’t put them out of my mind o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I am a steady person o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
I get in a state of tension or turmoil as I think over my recent concerns and interests o 1
o 2 o 3 o 4
