Explorer Projekt Stressregulation
Stress regulation depending on gender and gender roles: self-concept
Question:
Stress is a risk factor for many diseases, especially coronary heart disease. Working people are confronted with various challenging situations in their daily lives. However, individuals differ greatly in how they perceive, evaluate, and cope with these situations. What factors can explain these differences?
Method:
The first part of our project consists of a standardized collection of various psychological (e.g., subjective perception) and biological data (especially cortisol via saliva samples and heart rate variability (HRV) data via chest straps) in connection with challenging situations (Trier Social Stress Test). Following this, a five-day experience sampling study will involve participants collecting saliva samples seven times a day and completing questionnaires about everyday challenges in their lives. Sleep and activity data will also be recorded using a fitness tracker. We plan to conduct the study with a sample of employed individuals (target N = 200 for the laboratory study and 100 for the EMA study) between the ages of 25 and 65.
Findings:
Data collection has begun, and 80 participants have already taken part in the first part of the study. The data will be analyzed after the collection period is completed.
Transfer:
The study aims to gain insights into how individuals perceive their stress and the role that self-concept plays in this process. Perceiving and coping with stress are crucial prerequisites for a healthy approach to stressful situations.
Status: 2. Quarter 2022