Social support is an effective method of reducing symptoms of acute stress, and is thought to have greater impact when the individual feels secure in the relationship. This study investigated the physiological reactions of stress, here heart rate variability, skin conductance, and hand temperature, as mediated by attachment strength, within the context of a romantic relationship. Participants experienced a stressor either in the presence or absence of their romantic partner, and then the reverse. Analysis showed no significant interaction between the difference in participants’ physiological data (change-score), attachment strength, and condition stressor, though upon bootstrapping the original data, the change-score was shown to vary significantly as a function of attachment style.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Douglas, Sonya Maria

Subject

• Health
• Well-Being
• Culture

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121715-221644

Keyword

• Mental health

Advisor

• Skorinko, Jeanine LM

Year

• 2015

Center

• San Jose, Costa Rica Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• Universidad Latina

Date created

• 2015-12-17

Location

• San José

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright