The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of several brief trainings based on contemplative practices and positive psychology to buffer against the negative effects that acute stress has on behavior and cognitive abilities. The investigators hypothesize that training will buffer against negative effects of acute stress.
Participants will be taught a stress reducing training (breath awareness, loving kindness practice, gratitude exercise) and will practice using this technique for 10-15 minutes. Following this, all participants will undergo the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) for up to 3 minutes. Before and after these tasks, participant data related to attention, working memory, self regulation, affect, and prosociality will be collected.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
172
Participants undergo training for approximately 12 minutes. Training involves guided reflections and intentions related to feeling loving-kindness towards the self and others.
Participants undergo training for approximately 12 minutes. Training involves guided awareness focused on sensations of breathing.
Participants undergo training for approximately 12 minutes. Training involves reflections of gratitude for people, events, and things in one's life.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Change from baseline performance on Operational Span task
Time frame: Baseline and 10 minutes following post stress induction
Change from baseline in time spent on hand grip self regulation task
Time frame: Baseline and 30 minutes post stress induction
Change from baseline on likeability ratings of neutral stimuli
Time frame: Baseline and 1 minute post stress induction
Number of trials completed in optional Generosity task
Time frame: 40 minutes post stress induction
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings at baseline
Time frame: Baseline
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after pre-test measures
Time frame: 2 minutes before training
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after training
Time frame: 1 minute after training
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after stress induction
Time frame: 1 minute after stress induction
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after post-test
Time frame: 1 minute after post-test measures
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test at baseline
Time frame: Baseline
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after pre-test measures
Time frame: 2 minutes before training
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Participants will write and then think about the physical space in which they live (i.e., their home) for approximately 12 minutes.
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after training
Time frame: 1 minute after training
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after stress induction
Time frame: 1 minute after stress induction
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after post-test
Time frame: 1 minute after post-test
Participant interest in participating in future training
Interest will be rated using a visual analog scale.
Time frame: 40 minutes post stress induction