June 2014 PMID 24904511

Is crying a self-soothing behavior?

Asmir Gračanin, Lauren M Bylsma, Ad J J M Vingerhoets

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Mentions

122

Peak: 5 in Nov 2020

across 5 sources since Aug 2020

Extended reach

368,462

potential audience

Total likes

23,399

Video views

304,962

Mentions per month

Aug 2020 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

News87 articles
X / Twitter17 posts
Facebook8 posts
Blogs8 articles
YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the responses demonstrate a mix of support and skepticism about crying as self-soothing, with some users engaging deeply by referencing research and media, while others dismiss the idea and focus on social responses. Words like 'can help' and mentions of 'direct and socially-mediated effects' suggest cautious agreement, whereas dismissive comments like 'crying doesn't have any self-soothing capabilities' reflect disagreement. The tone varies from analytical to dismissive, contributing to a nuanced overall perspective.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The discussions reflect mixed opinions, with some posts supporting the idea that crying is self-soothing, while others dismiss it or emphasize social responses over internal mechanisms.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate to high interest, with multiple references to research, videos, and diverse perspectives on the topic.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include references to research, personal opinions, and responses to media, indicating a moderate level of deep engagement with the subject.

ImpactNeutral impact

The conversations seem to influence perceptions somewhat, especially through shared videos and discussions of social and biological mechanisms, but do not appear to cause significant societal shifts.

Abstract in brief

Crying may serve as a self-soothing behavior by helping regulate mood and reduce stress through physiological, cognitive, and behavioral mechanisms.
The effects of crying on mood improvement can vary depending on individual characteristics, antecedents, and social context, and may involve both self-soothing and social-soothing processes.
Evidence suggests that crying's self-soothing effects share common biological systems with other behaviors and may involve rhythmic, stereotypic mechanisms similar to those observed in animals.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Effects of Crying on Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Explore how crying can influence your mind and emotional health, highlighting its complex role in human evolution and culture.

Minutos Psíquicos · Nov 12, 2020 297,090 views

The Science of Human Crying: Emotional, Social, and Moral Insights

Today we explore what science knows about crying, a universal human emotional expression with social and moral implications. Crying can be triggered by various events and serves functions like stress reduction, mood…

Asociación Educar · Oct 24, 2023 7,542 views

Stop Waiting for the Rescue; Master Self Soothing Now

Abby Medcalf PhD · Nov 18, 2025 330 views

Jim Bloom

@jimmyroybloom · X

RT @jimmyroybloom: https://t.co/oDcEjYoEh1 Meta-cognitive projection onto a social media screen as self modulation when entrained in 480…

May 8, 2024 · 2 shares · 2,462 followers View post →

@arhmzzzz · X

@ginayaputeri tanggapan g berseberangan dgn beliau. asumsi ato konklusi lu aja itu mah yg muter2 malah nyuruh gw diskusi sama dia. cwo cengeng pny tendesi kgk bisa 3p (liat karakteristik dr definisi) gausa dibawa ribetlh https://t.co/06XnT6RiDF

May 6, 2023 · 14 followers View post →

Dilip Kumar

@kmr_dilip · X

Feb 22, 2023 · 1 like · 33,306 followers View post →

Jim Bloom

@jimmyroybloom · X

RT @jimmyroybloom: https://t.co/oDcEjYoEh1 Meta-cognitive projection onto a social media screen as self modulation when entrained in 480…

Feb 13, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,462 followers View post →

SUMMER TIME

@summerhasfun · X

Is crying a self-soothing behavior? https://t.co/uybkajP14X

May 27, 2022 · 65 followers View post →

my friend is a baldie and I'm not, hurray.

@lazycruise · X

crying doesn't have any self-soothing capabilities. only the social response to a person crying 'can' help. and that social response can be derived by other means aside from crying. https://t.co/yZUsZspDxS

Mar 24, 2022 · 1 share · 282 followers View post →

Jim Bloom

@jimmyroybloom · X

https://t.co/oDcEjYoEh1 Meta-cognitive projection onto a social media screen as self modulation when entrained in 480 Hzs pulse trains