Figure 1.

In line with our hypotheses, when in the context of psychosocial stress, there exists an association between increased patient cortisol levels and negative affect. Alternatively, when in the context of social support, the association between increased cortisol levels and negative affect is diminished when the therapist exhibits increased cortisol levels as well. Psychosocial stress context (A) is defined as an interpersonal situation that results in increased cortisol levels. Social support context (B) is defined as the empathic stress response of the other in an interpersonal situation.