Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The present study examined how social support can mitigate the stress reactivity of individuals with childhood trauma. The hypothesis addressed whether individuals with childhood trauma will have the higher stress reactivity compared to individuals without childhood trauma. Having social support will help to reduce the physiological and psychological responses such as lower cortisol and alpha amylase levels, lower heartrate, and a more positive mood. Participants completed the Profile of Mood State Scale (POMS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Hassles Scale, and Social Provisions Scale (SPS). Additionally, measures of cortisol, alpha amylase, and heartrate were tested. Data was collected in person from students at a Midwestern University. Results of the current study show there is a significant relationship between level of childhood trauma and decreased cortisol suggesting a muted response in those with high trauma levels. Additionally, higher levels of childhood trauma are correlated with higher heartrate change throughout the study stressor. When looking at the interaction between childhood trauma and social support, there is a statistically significant interaction affect between cortisol and heartrate. There are also statistically significant differences in cortisol and heartrate for those with and without social support. The current study shows how childhood trauma can impact an individuals physiological and psychological responding. This information is pertinent to universities as the individuals with childhood trauma had increased stress responding toward academic stressors, but their stress response is mitigated by having social support present. Understanding these results can help universities better attend to their incoming students and provide social support to the students to help manage the stress they may experience in the academic setting.

Download

Share

COinS