An examination of factors influencing the physiological and psychological responses to acute psychological stress
Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The overarching aim of this thesis was to examine factors associated with physiological and psychological responses to stress. Four laboratory-based studies were completed using multi-disciplinary methodologies to assess physiological and psychological responses to acute psychological stress. Chapter 2 revealed amygdala and hippocampus morphology was negatively associated with stressor-evoked cardiovascular reactivity in healthy participants. Chapter 3 demonstrated that compared to a stress only condition with no exercise, engaging in an acute bout of high intensity exercise attenuated blood pressure responses to subsequent acute stress exposure, but induced negative effects for mood and stress appraisals in healthy participants. Chapter 4 revealed that perceived heart rate change rather than actual heart rate reactivity during acute psychological stress was positively associated with anxiety intensity in healthy participants. Chapter 5 demonstrated that compared to healthy individuals, patients with ulcerative colitis experienced differences in inflammation, vagal activity and perceived control during acute psychological stress. In response to stress, negative psychological responses but not physiological responses were associated with greater ulcerative colitis symptom burden. The current thesis demonstrates novel factors associated with physiological and psychological responses to acute psychological stress and reveals mechanisms which could underlie the relationship between stress and disease symptoms in ulcerative colitis.
Author: Gavin P. Trotman
Language: English
Subfield: Behavioral Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3130463728