Hongyu Chen , Xiaoyu Wang , Peishan Wang , Lei Zhan , Zheng Huang , Xianghong Sun , Liang Zhang
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Although psychosocial stressors are known to impact task performance and trigger neuroendocrine responses, the dynamic nature of the stress appraisal process is often neglected in research.
Goal
This study aims to explore whether self-reported appraisals at various time points can accurately represent an individual’s behavioral and physiological stress responses.
Methods
A total of 137 participants were recruited to induce individual stress states using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Self-reported appraisals were measured both before (anticipatory appraisal) and after the stressor (retrospective appraisal) to capture the dynamic process. Concurrently, participants' cortisol responses and task performances were documented.
Results
Findings indicate that anticipatory appraisal does not significantly reflect task performance. In contrast, retrospective appraisal is strongly associated with the performance of corresponding tasks. Regarding cortisol levels, significantly negative results of multiple regression analysis revealed that the retrospective appraisal of the speech task is the sole variable to represent the cortisol response under stress.
Discussion
The results highlight that retrospective appraisals could represent individuals’ behavioral and physiological responses to stressors more accurately than anticipatory appraisals. These findings provide empirical evidence for choosing the appropriate timing to acquire accurate self-reported appraisals and also help to build a mapping relationship between self-reported, behavioral, and physiological data.
期刊介绍:
Biological Psychology publishes original scientific papers on the biological aspects of psychological states and processes. Biological aspects include electrophysiology and biochemical assessments during psychological experiments as well as biologically induced changes in psychological function. Psychological investigations based on biological theories are also of interest. All aspects of psychological functioning, including psychopathology, are germane.
The Journal concentrates on work with human subjects, but may consider work with animal subjects if conceptually related to issues in human biological psychology.