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Electrodermal activity in relation to self-reported stress and emotion intensity in individuals : an exploration of intra-subject relations through experience sampling and wearable sensors

Eikenhout, Liselotte M. J. (2017) Electrodermal activity in relation to self-reported stress and emotion intensity in individuals : an exploration of intra-subject relations through experience sampling and wearable sensors.

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Abstract:Stress is a common response for human beings, which, if chronic, can have detrimental effects on physical and mental well-being. While many laboratory studies have provided us with an association between physiological responses (e.g. electrodermal activity) and stress, little research has been done about this association in real life settings over longer periods of time. Additionally, most research focuses on general populations and their means, while wearable sensors increasingly available to the public demand individual applicability. This research’s main aim was to explore the intra-subject relations between self-reported stress and arousal and electrodermal activity (momentary and retrospective) in real life through experience sampling. Therefore, 18 participants wore an Empatica E4 wristband for seven consecutive days, while reporting their stress level and emotion intensity (of the past two hours and past minute) every two hours using their smartphone (mQuest). Hypotheses suggesting positive intra-subject correlations could not be explicitly retained. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient analyses showed trends of more positive correlations, while strongly negative correlations were found as well. The large range of correlations imply the significance of individual differences in long-term ambulatory assessment of stress and electrodermal activity. Additional analyses testing for differences in inter-subject correlations between momentary and retrospective assessment of stress, showed no significant differences. Concluding, fluctuations in self-reported stress and arousal and their association with fluctuations in electrodermal activity in daily life in young adults rely on individual differences and that these differences must be considered when making predictions based on electrodermal activity and stress. Timeframe of measuring and lack of insight into stressful events were among the limitations of this study. General recommendations were to elaborate and expand long-term ambulatory assessment of electrodermal activity within individuals, so as to enable applicability of wearable sensors in modern society.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/73005
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