Cortisol Reactivity, Morningness And Eveningness, Depression, Anxiety, And Time Of Day Effects Of Psychological Stressors In College Students

Date of Graduation

Spring 2001

Degree

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

James Davis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate individual differences and other influences contributing to cortisol reactivity in young adults presented with a psychological stressor. College students completed the Horne and The purpose of this study is to investigate individual differences and other influences contributing to cortisol reactivity in young adults presented with a psychological stressor. College students completed the Horne and Ostberg's Morningness and Eveningness Questionnaire (HOQ), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Core body temperatures were measured, and saliva samples collected before and after solving anagrams at 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with half of the participants' first test at each time. Major findings included elevations in cortisol occurred after anagram tasks at both morning and afternoon times. The magnitude of cortisol elevation was correlated with the BDI-II scores when first measured at the morning session (r_(11) = 0.81, p_ = 0.000). Cortisol reactivity was not related to gender or HOQ scores, though the limitations of this study prevent more definitive conclusions. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Subject Categories

Psychology

Copyright

© Jacquelyn Graven

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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