The influence of video-based social modelling on the nocebo effect

Objective: Seeing someone else experience side effects (i.e., social modelling) can increase negative expectations and subsequent nocebo effects. In face-to-face contexts, this effect appears stronger in female participants. Less is known about the influence of gender on negative expectations and nocebo effects generated via video-based social modelling.Methods: One hundred and seven undergraduate participants recruited from a participant pool at an Australian university took part in a study ostensibly investigating the influence of beta-blocker medications (actually a sham treatment) on physiological and psychological aspects of anxiety. Participants were randomly assigned to either a no-treatment control group, a standard treatment group, or a video modelling group, in which participants viewed video-recorded confederates (one male, one female) report experiencing four side effects (two each) after taking the study treatment. Symptoms were assessed 15-min following pill ingestion, and at follow-up 24 h later.Results: Video modelling of side effects, compared to standard treatment, interacted with gender and was associated with increased reporting of modelled symptoms in female compared to male participants, p = .01, eta p2=0.06. Video modelling also increased negative expectations in female compared to male participants, p = .03, eta p2=0.07, and expectations mediated the influence of modelling on modelled symptoms in female participants.Conclusions: Social modelling of side effects via video increased negative expectations, and nocebo symptoms, to a greater extent in female participants. These findings suggest that males and females are differentially impacted by video-based side effect modelling. Results have implications for social modelling of side effects via social media and patient-support websites.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the impact of video-based social modelling on negative expectations and nocebo effects. It was found that female participants were more influenced in face-to-face contexts. The results showed that video modelling of side effects increased reporting of symptoms and negative expectations in female participants.