KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Omega-3 Supplementation and Emotional Blunting: A Placebo-Controlled Investigation

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Rhyner_ku_0099M_12871_DATA_1.pdf (204.1Kb)
    Issue Date
    2013-05-31
    Author
    Rhyner, Kathleen
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    27 pages
    Type
    Thesis
    Degree Level
    M.A.
    Discipline
    Psychology
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    One side effect of SSRI medication is emotional blunting, characterized by a restricted range of emotions and decreased caring. Because omega-3 supplements also have established antidepressant properties, they might also induce emotional blunting. Participants were randomized to receive omega-3 supplements or pill placebos for three weeks. Emotional blunting was evaluated via three assessment strategies: scores on an emotional blunting questionnaire, emotional reactions to a dysphoric mood induction, and daily mood ratings. As hypothesized, participants in the omega-3 group scored significantly higher on the emotional blunting questionnaire, with an effect size in the moderate range. They also scored significantly higher on 3 of the questionnaire's 4 subscales. However, omega-3 supplementation was not associated with a reduced emotional response to the mood-induction, nor with any reduction in the variability of daily mood ratings. These findings suggest that healthy individuals taking omega-3 supplements may experience moderate blunting in a subset of emotion-linked domains.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/12218
    Collections
    • Theses [3797]
    • Psychology Dissertations and Theses [466]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps