Racial biases, facial trustworthiness, and resting heart rate variability: unravelling complexities in pain recognition.

ABSTRACT: The study explores whether racial identity and appearance-based trustworthiness judgments can affect recognition of pain in medical students differing in levels of resting heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of parasympathetic control of the heart. After undergoing HRV assessment, 68 medical students (37 females) participated in a dynamic pain recognition task, viewing video clips of White and Black faces, which differed in perceived trustworthiness based on facial appearance, transitioning from neutral to intense pain expressions. Response time, pain intensity attribution and treatment recommendations were analyzed. Pain was recognized slower and estimated as less intense in Black compared to White faces, leading to a lower likelihood of recommending therapy. Pain recognition was fast

SUBMITTER: Ceccarelli I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11461382 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature