Examination Stress, Salivary Cortisol, and Academic Performance

2003 ◽  
Vol 93 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1133-1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian Ng ◽  
David Koh ◽  
Sin-Eng Chia
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Final Examination ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Examination Stress ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Immediately before and after participation in a written final examination, 11 graduate students rated their self-perceived stress and provided saliva samples for cortisol assay. Students rated stress higher before the examination, and these ratings were associated with increased salivary cortisol. Students who reported higher stress and had higher cortisol levels before the examination tended to have significantly lower examination scores.

scholarly journals Effects of Breastfeeding on Stress Measured by Saliva Cortisol Level and Perceived Stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-138
Author(s):  
Kiyoko Mizuhata ◽  
Hatsumi Taniguchi ◽  
Naoko Hikita ◽  
Mieko Shimada ◽  
Seiichi Morokuma
Keyword(s):  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Mixed Feeding ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Feeding Methods ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Purpose: The effects of breastfeeding on postpartum depression symptoms and stress using physiological measures require investigation. Background: Breastfeeding suppresses the secretion of cortisol. Oxytocin levels correlate negatively with symptoms of postpartum depression. Aim: To investigate the effects of breastfeeding on stress and postpartum depression. Methods: We examined 79 breastfeeding women using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and measured the salivary cortisol levels before and after breastfeeding. Findings: There was a negative correlation between the duration of suckling and changes in salivary cortisol levels following breastfeeding (rs = −0.333, p < 0.05). Salivary cortisol levels immediately following breastfeeding were significantly lower compared to mothers who used mixed feeding methods (p < 0.001). Breastfeeding mothers had lower perceived stress than mothers using mixed feeding methods (β = −0.260, p < 0.05). There was no association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression; however, there was an association between postpartum depression and perceived stress (β = 0.622, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Salivary cortisol levels significantly decreased following breastfeeding, with longer suckling times correlating with lower cortisol levels. Breastfeeding reduced stress and increased breastfeeding self-efficacy.

scholarly journals Effects of Anosognosia on Perceived Stress and Cortisol Levels in Alzheimer’s Disease

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve Arsenault-Lapierre ◽  
Victor Whitehead ◽  
Sonia Lupien ◽  
Howard Chertkow
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Anosognosia, or unawareness of one’s own cognitive deficits, may cause issues when measuring perceived stress and cortisol levels in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The goal of this study was to examine the effects of anosognosia on perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels in normal elderly (NE) adults, MCI individuals, newly diagnosed AD patients, and long-lasting AD patients, suspected to show more anosognosia. An anosognosia index for perceived stress was computed by subtracting the score on the Perceived Stress Scale measured in the participants and their relative. Cortisol levels were measured four times a day over two nonconsecutive days. Greater anosognosia for dementia correlated with greater anosognosia for perceived stress in the group as a whole. However, no correlation between cortisol levels and either anosognosia for dementia or perceived stress was observed. Our results suggest that measuring perceived stress in AD patients may be influenced by anosognosia.

Effects of choral singing on salivary cortisol levels and self-reported stress in university students

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnar Glauco De Cunto Carelli Taets ◽  
Ramon Werner Heringer Gutierrez ◽  
Leila Brito Bergold ◽  
Luana Silva Monteiro
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Group Approach ◽  
Choral Singing ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Although mental disorders are common among university students, the majority of students with mental health issues do not seek out treatment during their academic life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel group approach- choir singing, and its potential impact on stress, via salivary cortisol levels and self-reported stress levels in university students during 4 sessions of choir singing. It was based on a quasi-experimental research conducted with 25 Brazilian university students. Each choir singing session lasted 60 minutes. A question was asked before and after the intervention: what is the level of your stress? Salivary cortisol was collected before and after the intervention. After the choir singing intervention, there was  a statistically significant reduction in self-reported stress (p<0.0001) and salivary cortisol levels (p<0.0001). This research suggests that choir singing can reduce the self-reported stress of university students after 4 weeks of follow-up with ∆= 45.83% and salivary cortisol levels in the first week with ∆= 3.57%.

scholarly journals Salivary cortisol responses to acute stress in students with myofascial pain

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djordje Bozovic ◽  
Nedeljka Ivkovic ◽  
Maja Racic ◽  
Sinisa Ristic
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Introduction/Objective. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are characterized by the appearance of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system. The aims of this study were to evaluate the salivary cortisol levels in students with chronic myofascial pain (MFP) related to TMD during oral exam, as well as to analyze the correlation between salivary cortisol levels, TMD-related MFP, the level of anxiety, depression symptoms, somatization, and perceived stress. Methods. The study included 60 university students, who were allocated either into the group of students with MFP (n = 30) or into the control group of healthy students (n = 30). The level of salivary cortisol was measured on the exam day and during the control day when the students had no exams. Depression symptoms, somatization, perceived stress and anxiety were evaluated according to Axis II RDC/TMD, Perceived Stress Scale and State?Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results. Levels of salivary cortisol were significantly higher in the group of students with MFP in all phases of measurements compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Students with MFP also showed significantly higher depression symptoms, somatization, and trait anxiety scores than the control group. No significant group differences were found on the scales measuring state anxiety and perceived stress. The level of salivary cortisol was found to be in correlation with depression symptoms, state anxiety, and perceived stress, but not with chronic pain, somatization, and trait anxiety in students with TMD. Conclusion. Salivary cortisol could be an important indicator of psychological distress in TMD.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Salivary Cortisol, Self-Assessed Stress Levels, and Body Mass Index in High Achieving High School Adolescents

Elements ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Samir
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
The Body ◽  
Metabolism Regulation ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
High Achieving

Studies of stress and cortisol levels in adults indicate that keeping normal levels of cortisol is beneficial to subjects. The hormone cortisol has many functions including proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, immune function, and inflammatory  response. When cortisol levels spike, as with stress, there can be a negative effect on the individual. Due to the hectic pace of modern life, the body’s stress response does not always have time to return to normal, leading to cortisol levels remaining too high. This can lead to suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity, and increased abdominal fat. Stress plays a prominent role in the lives of millions of people all across the globe. This problem is not one that affects solely the adult population but also a multitude of adolescents and children. Oftentimes, stress can have both a physical and psychological effect on an individual. Many persons report an effect on food consumption when under stressful situations, causing one to either eat more or less than normal. In turn, these eating patterns can potentially influence the Body Mass Index (BMI) of an individual. While increased stress can lead to a higher or lower than normal cortisol level and BMI in adults, the role in adolescents is not entirely clear. This study investigated whether there is a relationship between stress and BMI in high-achieving adolescents, aged 14 to 18. The Perceived Stress Scale survey paired with additional questions that helped determine variables believed to impact stress levels were administered to determine overall stress levels in each subject. To determine cortisol levels, a competitive enzyme immunoassay was used.  This study indicates that there   are no significant correlations between perceived stress levels, salivary cortisol levels, and BMI in this group of individuals. However, a distinct difference in self-assessed stress levels was apparent between males and females. Somewhat unexpectedly, a negative relationship was found between BMI and salivary cortisol levels and perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels.

Sleep Quality Among Undergraduates During Pre-Examination Period

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Aishah Ahad
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Data Dissemination ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Examination Period ◽  
Examination Stress ◽  
The University ◽  
Perceived Sleep Quality

The purpose of the study is to examine the sleep quality of undergraduates during pre-examination period. In addition, the effect of examination stress and sleep quality on academic performance of the undergraduates is also of interest. Questionnaire is used to collect responses from 379 undergraduates regarding perceived stress and sleep quality on the first week of final examination. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is the instruments used in investigating the perceived sleep quality of respondents one month before the test is taken. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is used to measure the perceived stress level of the subjects for the past one month. The data dissemination concludes that the overall sleep quality of the undergraduates is poor. Female undergraduates tend to have a slightly better sleep quality than the male undergraduates. The sleep quality shows a weak positive relationship with perceived stress. It is also discovered that sleep quality and perceived stress have no effect on academic performance. The university authority might need to look into the problem of poor sleep quality among undergraduates especially during pre-examination period.

Comparison of Behavior and Dental Anxiety During Intranasal and Sublingual Midazolam Sedation – A Randomized Controlled Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
AK Shanmugaavel ◽  
Sharath Asokan ◽  
John J Baby ◽  
Geetha Priya ◽  
J Gnana Devi
Keyword(s):  
Drug Administration ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Anxiety Level ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
Sublingual Administration ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Group A ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Group B

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the behavioral effects and the changes in the anxiety level of children after intranasal and sublingual midazolam sedation using Venham's clinical anxiety scale and salivary cortisol level. Study Design: Twenty children aged 3 to 7 years were randomly assigned to Group A (n=10) intranasal or Group B (n=10) sublingual midazolam (0.2mg/kg) sedation. The anxiety levels at various time periods were assessed using Venham clinical anxiety scale and corresponding changes in salivary cortisol levels were assessed before and after the drug administration. The anxiety levels were assessed independently by two pediatric dentists from recorded videos. Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis using SPSS version 19.0.Results: There was a significant decrease in anxiety level from baseline to 20 minutes after drug administration in group A (p=0.004) and group B (p=0.003). There was no significant change in salivary cortisol levels before and after the drug administration in group A (p=0.07) and group B (p=0.38). Conclusions: Both intranasal and sublingual administration of midazolam was equally effective in reducing the child's anxiety. However, there was no significant difference in the salivary cortisol levels in both groups.

scholarly journals Cortisol, Temperament and Serotonin in Karate Combats: An Evolutionary Psychobiological Perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Ponzi ◽  
Harold Dadomo ◽  
Laura Filonzi ◽  
Paola Palanza ◽  
Annalisa Pelosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Harm Avoidance ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Sport Competition ◽  
Physiological Stress Response ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
S Allele

Abstract Objectives There is evidence suggesting that in martial arts competitions athletes characterized by higher anxiety and harm avoidance may be more likely to lose a fight. This psychological profile has been hypothesized to explain in part the observation that cortisol is higher in losers before and in response to a competition. An important research target that needs further exploration is the identification of phenotypic traits that can be helpful in predicting athletes’ performance. Here we present a brief description of the theoretical bases that drives our research in the evolutionary psychobiology of sports and illustrate preliminary data on the relationship between the 5HTTLPR genotype, salivary cortisol, temperament and competition. Methods Sixty-five healthy male non-professional athletes provided saliva samples 10 min before and after a kumite session and filled out the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire. Results Salivary cortisol levels 10 min before the competition were higher in losers and in athletes with the S allele. Temperament was associated with competition outcome and cortisol: losers were characterized by higher scores of harm avoidance and harm avoidance was positively correlated with cortisol levels. Conclusions The results confirm previous findings linking temperamental traits, pre-and post- competition physiological stress response with competition outcome in kumite fight. Moreover, they indicate an association between the 5HTTLPR polymorphism and pre-competition salivary cortisol, thus providing a preliminary but non-conclusive evidence on the role played by the 5HTTLPR genotype as a vulnerability factor in sport competition.

scholarly journals Cognitive Performance and Morning Levels of Salivary Cortisol and α-Amylase in Children Reporting High vs. Low Daily Stress Perception

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique F. Maldonado ◽  
Francisco J. Fernandez ◽  
M. Victoria Trianes ◽  
Keith Wesnes ◽  
Orlando Petrini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Alpha Amylase ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Stress Perception ◽  
Daily Stress ◽  
Morning Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Levels

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of daily stress perception on cognitive performance and morning basal salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels in healthy children aged 9–12. Participants were classified by whether they had low daily perceived stress (LPS,n= 27) or a high daily perceived stress (HPS,n= 26) using the Children Daily Stress Inventory (CDSI). Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were measured at awakening and 30 minutes later. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cognitive Drug Research assessment system. The HPS group exhibited significantly poorer scores on speed of memory (p < .05) and continuity of attention (p< .05) relative to the LPS group. The HPS group also showed significantly lower morning cortisol levels at awakening and at +30 minutes measures in comparison with the LPS group (p< .05), and mean morning cortisol levels were negatively correlated with speed of memory (p< .05) in the 53 participants. No significant differences were observed between both groups in alpha-amylase levels. These findings suggest that daily perceived stress in children may impoverish cognitive performance via its modulating effects on the HPA axis activity.

South African Graduate Students' Locus of Control, Gender Differences, and Academic Performance

1995 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 629-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuntufye S. Mwamwenda
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Educational Psychology ◽  
Final Examination ◽  
Control Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Psychology Course

To explore whether locus of control scores of South African university students show sex differences and differences in academic achievement, 73 subjects (46 women and 27 men) whose mean ages were 36.5 yr. for women and 35.0 yr. for men were given Rotter's Locus of Control scale. Scores students obtained on a final examination in an educational psychology course were recorded. A gender difference was statistically significant, with men scoring internally oriented and women scoring externally oriented. There was no significant difference in academic performance between internally and externally controlled subjects.

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