Hopelessness and Physiological Stress Dysregulation Indicated by Diurnal Cortisol Patterns in College Students
Saved in:
| Title: | Hopelessness and Physiological Stress Dysregulation Indicated by Diurnal Cortisol Patterns in College Students |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Cheng, Katherine C., Husman, Jenefer E., Iida, Masumi, Barnes, Maryann Elizabeth, Espino, Kurtis |
| Source: | AERA Online Paper Repository. 2016. |
| Availability: | AERA Online Paper Repository. Available from: American Educational Research Association. 1430 K Street NW Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-238-3200; Fax: 202-238-3250; e-mail: subscriptions@aera.net; Web site: http://www.aera.net |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2016 |
| Document Type: | Speeches/Meeting Papers Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | College Students, Stress Variables, Psychological Patterns, Emotional Response, Metabolism, Physiology, At Risk Students, Engineering Education |
| Abstract: | In a pilot study, we examined college students' (N = 60) stress levels around their midterm exam via surveys and stress hormone sampling (n = 43). Students' diurnal cortisol and emotions were assessed a week before and the week during their mid-term. We hypothesized that students' learning-related Hopelessness would predict a flatter diurnal cortisol pattern as an indicator of stress dysregulation before the exam. Results showed that diurnal cortisol was on average flatter the week during the exam vs. the week prior to the exam; moreover, Hopelessness predicted less change in the diurnal cortisol slope between the two weeks. We suspect that students' learning-related Hopelessness may be a psychosocial risk factor that disables students to physiologically adapt to exam-related contexts. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2019 |
| Access URL: | https://www.aera.net/Publications/Online-Paper-Repository/AERA-Online-Paper-Repository |
| Accession Number: | ED597279 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In a pilot study, we examined college students' (N = 60) stress levels around their midterm exam via surveys and stress hormone sampling (n = 43). Students' diurnal cortisol and emotions were assessed a week before and the week during their mid-term. We hypothesized that students' learning-related Hopelessness would predict a flatter diurnal cortisol pattern as an indicator of stress dysregulation before the exam. Results showed that diurnal cortisol was on average flatter the week during the exam vs. the week prior to the exam; moreover, Hopelessness predicted less change in the diurnal cortisol slope between the two weeks. We suspect that students' learning-related Hopelessness may be a psychosocial risk factor that disables students to physiologically adapt to exam-related contexts. |
|---|
