The effects of hypnosis on emotional responses of depressed students in frustrating situations

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of hypnosis on aggression and depression in depressed undergraduate students. Six frustrating situations were presented to 13 mildly depressed subjects as well as to 13 non-depressed subjects. All subjects were studied both in light trance and in the waking state. Their emotions were measured by numeric rating scales and open-ended questions. On scores using with numeric rating scales, depressed subjects were less depressive under trance as compared to the waking state. Responses to open-ended questions, which were scored by four raters, indicated that depressed subjects were less aggressive during trance than during the waking state, while non-depressed subjects were more aggressive under trance. Furthermore, the depression score was lower during trance than during the waking state. These findings suggested that depressed subjects were not repressive, while non-depressed subjects were repressive and exhibited controlled anger in the waking state.