Relative changes in salivary Na+ and K+ concentrations relating to stress induction.

Three independent studies are reported in which periods of "relaxation" (A) and presumed stressors (B) were given to female students in an ABA design. The "stressors" were: (1) obligatory time-wasting activity; (2) a mental "IQ" test; and (3) delivering a speech. Saliva was collected immediately after "relaxation" and "stress" periods. "Stress" and "arousal" state were retrospectively assessed in experiments (1) and (2) by subject self-rating and in experiment 1 also by trained observers for the periods A and B. The molar [K+/Na+] ratio was determined for each saliva sample. The prediction that [K+/Na+] would increase with stress induction was supported by statistically significant results with stressors 1 and 2 (p less than 0.01), but speech delivery (3) resulted in a significant rise of [K+/Na+] after the stressor period. Correlations between [K+/Na+] and "stress" and "arousal" ratings also substantiated the prediction.

Heart rate, anxiety, anger, and arousal reactions to enforced time-wasting: dependence on reactive uncontrol, work involvement, and dominance factors of 'type A'.

The factor structure of 'Type A' was examined in an experiment derived from the observation of Frankenhaeuser et al. (1980) that 'Type A' people are abnormally 'aroused' when deprived of work. Questionnaire scales were used which dissected 'Type A' (based on replicated factor analyses). The sample statistics for 21 female volunteers approximated the parent population statistics on orthogonal scales of Work Involvement (WI), Reactive Uncontrol (RU) and Dominance (D). The laboratory session involved reading for 15 min: (a) self-chosen 'useful' work material and (b) material judged by subjects (Ss) to be 'useless'. Ss and trained observers used the same scales for rating anxiety, arousal and anger states during reading periods. Observers interpreted facial expressions from video-tapes. Finger pulse amplitude and tonic heart rate (HR) were recorded during reading periods. RU (but not WI or D) correlated negatively with HR level and positively with increases in both HR and observed arousal under time-wasting conditions. Combination of changes in HR and observed arousal in a multiple R gave optimum 'prediction' of RU. While much evidence supported Frankenhaeuser's (1980) hypothesis, the multifactorial nature of 'Type A' was demonstrated.

Can stress be measured with an anxiety questionnaire?

The general problem of stress assessment and the role of anxiety state is considered using a widely accepted theoretical model of stress. The need for clear conceptualizations of stress production and stress response factors is indicated, to avoid confusion between measurements taken from instruments assessing anxiety state and emotional stress response.

Stress, health and performance in university students.

The hypothesis tested was that cognitive factors in the generation of stress, namely perceived coping incapacity (PCI), relate to the extent of psychosomatic ailments. We developed a new scale, CAST (Cognitive Appraisal Stress Test), with a 10 point self-rating of PCI using 16 questions on different aspects of perceived demands versus perceived capabilities. For the assessment of ailments relevant to stress we constructed a scale (PSYSOM) based on a translation of the Scheuch-Vogel symptom list (developed in the GDR from self-report of teachers who could not work as a result of work stress). A special scoring system combined duration, intensity and frequency of 30 symptoms and provided normalisation of distributions. The scales were administered on separate days to 75 female students in their second year (working to obtain admission to an honours degree course). The hypothesis was strongly supported, since the overall scale of PSYSOM correlated with CAST: r = 0.42, p less than .001. The physiologically defined subscale of 'skeletal muscle tension' correlated r = 0.65 with CAST. Subsequently CAST and PSYSOM have been shortened and factor analysed to give, in each case, a general principal component scale and several identifiable varimax subscales. Research using these scales on employees has now provided cross-validation of the first findings reported here.