Stress appraisal is associated with sympathetic neural reactivity to mental stress in humans
Jeremy A. Bigalke, Neha A. John‐Henderson, Jason R. Carter
Abstract
The present study investigated the association between stress appraisal and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) reactivity to the Trier Social Stress Test. Appraisal of the stress task as a threat (i.e., perceived inability to cope with the demands of the task) was associated with exaggerated MSNA reactivity to mental stress in humans. Threat appraisal is associated with exaggerated sympathetic reactivity to stress, potentially underlying the commonly observed interindividual variability in MSNA responsiveness to mental stress.
Topics & Concepts
Coping (psychology)Trier social stress testPsychologyStressorMental arithmeticBlood pressureHeart rateMental healthMicroneurographyPsychosocialArousalClinical psychologyMedicineInternal medicinePsychiatrySocial psychologyFight-or-flight responseBaroreflexChemistryBiochemistryGeneStress Responses and CortisolHeart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control