Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used by researchers to measure the risk of “emotional contagion” among professionals in relationship-based fields such as social work and psychology. Emotional contagion refers to the unconscious transfer of emotions, which can lead to burnout and depression. The researchers used AI software called FACET to measure facial expressions of participants while they viewed emotional film clips. They found that individuals who are more reactive to the clips are at a higher risk of depression and have a diminished ability to show compassion.
This discovery could pave the way for early management and prevention strategies for emotional contagion among professionals in “caring” fields. The study suggests that AI could be used for early detection and management of emotional contagion risk, potentially preventing burnout and depression.
The research was conducted by Pierrich Plusquellec, a professor at the Université de Montréal’s School of Psychoeducation, and his master’s student Vincent Denault. They used AI software to automatically measure participants’ facial expressions as they watched film clips known to elicit a range of emotions.
The study involved 56 psychoeducation students who watched a 30-minute video of film excerpts that elicited positive and negative emotions or no emotion at all. The researchers found that those who reacted more strongly with their faces to the emotions shown in the clips were at a greater risk of depression and had a reduced ability to show compassion.
The participants’ facial expressions were analyzed using FACET, which is an AI software that uses the Facial Action Coding System. This new technique provided more accurate results compared to a self-administered questionnaire called the Emotional Contagion Scale.
According to Plusquellec, emotional contagion often goes unnoticed, and professionals in “caring” fields are at a higher risk due to their close interactions with clients. The FACET tool could be used to conduct emotional monitoring of professionals and enable early management to prevent burnout and depression.
The researcher also hopes to create an intervention to limit emotional contagion and help professionals better manage the emotions of others. Plusquellec aims to make the FACET tool freely available online to assist those who help others.
In conclusion, AI is being used to measure the risk of emotional contagion among professionals in relationship-based fields. The study suggests that AI-based tools like FACET can provide early detection and management of emotional contagion, potentially preventing burnout and depression among professionals. Further research and interventions are needed to better understand and address emotional contagion in the workplace.