Individual Differences in the Correspondence Between Psychological and Physiological Stress Indicators

Abstract

Stress threatens physical and mental health. Reactions to acute stress comprise multiple levels, including negative thoughts, bodily symptoms and behaviors. Individuals differ in their reaction to acute stress, and importantly, also in the extent to which these levels align, with a closer correspondence between psychological and physiological stress indicators being beneficial for mental health and well-being. This preregistered study investigates such individual differences systematically by inducing psychological (social-evaluative) and physiological (cold water) stress with the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST) in 149 healthy adults. Participants indicated the extent to which they perceived to be stressed and four physiological stress indicators (blood pressure, heart rate, salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase) were measured. Finally, multiple personality traits were assessed as potential moderators, including the Big Five, trait anxiety, and general cognitive ability. In line with previous research, psychological and physiological stress indicators were only weakly correlated. However, considering individual differences in personality, revealed especially conscientiousness and openness as potential moderators of the correspondence between psychological and physiological stress indicators. We propose individual differences in interoceptive abilities as another critical moderator, which deserves further investigation, and discuss how future research on individual differences in psycho-physiological correspondence can contribute to further our understanding of mental and physical diseases.Impact StatementStress has substantially increased over the last decade. A missing correspondence between self-reported stress and physiological stress measures has been related to mental illnesses and lower well-being. In revealing that specific personality traits might act as potential moderators of the psycho-physiological correspondence, our research complements recent prospects towards personalized medicine and offers starting points for the development of individualized psychological interventions and prevention programs.