Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.09.14.285486v1?rss=1 Authors: Kim, J. J., Cunnington, R., Kirby, J. N. Abstract: Adverse life events are inescapable, but how we relate to setbacks and challenges matters. Using fMRI, we invited participants to engage in self-criticism and self-reassurance toward written descriptions of negative life events (mistakes, setbacks, failures). Our results identify that neural pain and trial-by-trial markers of intensity are suppressed under conditions of self-reassurance, relative to self-criticism. Engagement in self-reassurance can therefore reduce the "sting" of negative life-events, both neural and self-report. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info