Psychological and cortisol human reactions in experimental stress

Abstract

The manuscript provides the description of the methodological and instrumental base for experimental stress research. The main results of the research aimed to identify endocrine and psychological characteristics of stress reactivity in both gender young adults in response to social stressors. The algorithm and components of complex stress reactivity assessment was developed. Two types of social daily hassles (microstressors) were modeled in experimental conditions (public speaking and interview with opposite sex interviewer). Stress reactivity was assessed using endocrine (cortisol level in saliva) and psychological (observation and psychometric measurements). Different types of stress reactivity were identified significantly associated with gender, coping strategies, emotional experience, personality traits and specific of stress situation.