Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.
Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.
Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2022 Aug;142:105818. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105818. Epub 2022 May 30.
The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a reliable and efficient protocol to induce acute psychosocial stress in the laboratory. If circumstances do not allow in-person assessments, an online version of the TSST could create more flexible research opportunities. To date, studies have confirmed subjective and autonomic stress responses to online TSST protocols. In this preregistered study (https://osf.io/u57aj), we focused on the effect of a TSST online for adults (TSST-OA) on cortisol and alpha amylase levels, and pleasure and arousal ratings. As cortisol stress reactivity is mediated by sex, we further compared men and women. We hypothesized significant increases in cortisol, alpha amylase and arousal, and a decrease in pleasure in response to the TSST-OA. Also, we expected stronger cortisol responses in males as compared with females, as in the laboratory TSST. N = 48 adults (56% female, mean=23.02 years, SD=3.19) participated in the study. Saliva sampling devices were sent to participants' home before testing sessions, during which the experimenter, a mixed-sex panel, and the participant joined a video call. Participants underwent the TSST-OA and overall provided five saliva samples for cortisol and alpha amylase detection. Pleasure and arousal ratings and psychometric questionnaires were also completed online. As hypothesized, the TSST-OA significantly increased cortisol, alpha amylase, and arousal levels, while it decreased pleasure. Moreover, cortisol responses were significantly stronger in males as compared to females. 64% of subjects were classified as responders (cortisol rise>1.5nmol/l). The TSST-OA successfully induced psychophysiological stress in adults. Our protocol offers new possibilities to study stress outside of the laboratory.
三重社会压力测试（TSST）是一种可靠且高效的实验室诱导急性心理社会压力的方法。如果环境不允许进行面对面评估，那么在线版的 TSST 可能会创造更灵活的研究机会。迄今为止，已有研究证实了在线 TSST 方案会引起主观和自主的应激反应。在这项预先注册的研究（https://osf.io/u57aj）中，我们专注于成年人在线 TSST（TSST-OA）对皮质醇和唾液淀粉酶水平以及愉悦和唤醒评分的影响。由于皮质醇应激反应受到性别的调节，我们进一步比较了男性和女性。我们假设 TSST-OA 会引起皮质醇、唾液淀粉酶和唤醒水平显著升高，以及愉悦感降低。此外，我们预计与实验室 TSST 相比，男性的皮质醇反应会更强。共有 48 名成年人（56%为女性，平均年龄为 23.02 岁，标准差为 3.19）参与了这项研究。在测试前，唾液采样设备被寄送到参与者的家中，在测试期间，实验者、一个混合性别的小组和参与者加入了视频通话。参与者接受了 TSST-OA 测试，总共提供了五份唾液样本用于皮质醇和唾液淀粉酶检测。愉悦和唤醒评分以及心理计量学问卷也在线完成。正如假设的那样，TSST-OA 显著增加了皮质醇、唾液淀粉酶和唤醒水平，同时降低了愉悦感。此外，与女性相比，男性的皮质醇反应明显更强。64%的被试被归类为应激反应者（皮质醇升高>1.5nmol/l）。TSST-OA 成功地在成年人中引起了心理生理应激。我们的方案为在实验室外研究压力提供了新的可能性。
