He Y, Fan J, Yang J. An efficient acute stress response in Chinese individuals with high interdependent self-construal.
ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2020;
34:335-348. [PMID:
33190521 DOI:
10.1080/10615806.2020.1846724]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
An efficient stress response comprises both quick reactivity and rapid recovery. Studies have found an enhanced stress response in Chinese people with high interdependent self-construal (ISC). ISC is a personality trait that is well-matched with Chinese collectivistic culture, and whether they exhibit an efficient stress response has not been exclusively examined.
DESIGN
We conducted a novel experiment to examine the stress response change rate in Chinese participants with varying levels of ISC,then performed a validation analysis against previous data to examine the reliability of current results.
METHODS
In our experiment, 84 healthy (42 high-ISC and 42 low-ISC), young, native Chinese were randomly assigned to either the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), or the control condition. In the published study, 46 native Chinese participants (23 high-ISC and 23 low-ISC) had undergone the TSST. Data were collected throughout the two experiments.
RESULTS
Compared to low-ISC participants, cortisol and subjective stress levels in high-ISC participants peaked sooner and declined rapidly, suggesting quick stress reactivity and rapid recovery. This finding was supported by the previous study.
CONCLUSIONS
High-ISC individuals display an efficient stress response pattern, manifested by fast reactivity and rapid recovery, which may be adaptive in Chinese collectivistic culture.
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