The neural bases of expressive suppression: A systematic review of functional neuroimaging studies




Sikka Pilleriin, Stenberg Jonathan, Vorobyev Victor, Gross James J

PublisherElsevier Ltd

2022

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews

104708

138

1873-7528

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104708

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104708

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/175740908



Expressive suppression refers to the inhibition of emotion-expressive behavior (e.g., facial expressions of emotion). Although it is a commonly used emotion regulation strategy with well-documented consequences for well-being, little is known about its underlying mechanisms. In this systematic review, we for the first time synthesize functional neuroimaging studies on the neural bases of expressive suppression in non-clinical populations. The 12 studies included in this review contrasted the use of expressive suppression to simply watching emotional stimuli. Results showed that expressive suppression consistently increased activation of frontoparietal regions, especially the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortices and inferior parietal cortex, but decreased activation in temporo-occipital areas. Results regarding the involvement of the insula and amygdala were inconsistent with studies showing increased, decreased, or no changes in activation. These mixed findings underscore the importance of distinguishing expressive suppression from other forms of suppression and highlight the need to pay more attention to experimental design and neuroimaging data analysis procedures. We discuss these conceptual and methodological issues and provide suggestions for future research.


Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 21:49