Stress Disorder
Conditions
Brief summary
This project evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention sought to reduce the physical effects of stress related to those issues that individuals cannot successfully communicate with anyone about. To do this, the investigators will be implementing a writing intervention over the course of the 6-week study. The investigators will be asking all participants to complete questionnaires over the course of the study period. The investigators are also asking participants to provide a small blood sample (from a fingerstick procedure) at two times during the study as well as saliva samples during that same time. The primary research question asks if this intervention procedure is effective. The investigators are evaluating total cholesterol, high sensitivity c-reactive protein, and cortisol.
Interventions
OTHERExpressive Writing
Writing intervention for cognitive appraisal of stressor.
Sponsors
Santa Clara University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 110 pounds in weight * Ability to fast for 8 hours prior to laboratory visit * Staff member at Santa Clara University * Certain level of inclusionary pretest stress measure
Exclusion criteria
* Hepatitis * Endocrine Disease * Kidney or Liver Disease * Cancer (in any form) * Cushing's disorder * Rheumatological disorders * Respiratory Disorders * Diabetes * High blood pressure * Low blood pressure * Heart or cardiovascular problems * Chemotherapy * Current use of alpha or beta blockers, steroids, or hormone replacements * Pregnant and/or breastfeeding mothers
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Lipids from baseline | Week 1 and Week 6 | Lipid panel includes total cholesterol, High-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides. |
| Change in high-sensitivity c-Reactive Protein from baseline | Week 1 and Week 6 | — |
| Change in Cortisol Awakening Response from Baseline | Week 1 and Week 6 | Measurement of Salivary Cortisol (hydrocortisone, compound-F) as a maximum difference between awakening and 30 minutes after awakening. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Perceived Global Stress over time | Week 1, Week 3, Week 6 | Psychological measure of stress |
| Change in Organizational Stress over time | Week 1, Week 3, Week 6 | Psychological measure of stress as a function of organizational involvement. |
| Change in Perception of Communication Restriction of Stressor over time | Week 1, Week 3, Week 6 | Restrictedness of a communicative stressor |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed