Increased as well as prolonged physiological stress reactions constitute an antecedent of stress-related diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease. Thereby the strength of physiological stress reactions underlies various internal and external influences. Within the scope of the study termed COST, we investigated the protective effect of individual coping strategies against increased or prolonged endocrine stress reactions.
The main focus of this study involved an explorative investigation of situative and naturally occurring coping reactions in response to psychosocial stress which in turn served as predictors of salivary cortisol increase and recovery. As suggested by the results, we were able to evaluate the relative effectiveness of different coping approaches in response to acute psychosocial stress (further results will follow soon).
Based on the knowledge about the characteristics of effective coping behavior, a long-term objective of this study is to develop an interventional approach for the modification of ineffective coping behavior.
This study has been completed, publication is in preparation.