The Trier Social Stress Test in Adolescents

Abstract: Background and Aims: The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is widely used to induce stress reactions using a standardized experimental procedure. This study investigated the relationship between stress reactivity in the TSST (measured by cortisol secretion and subjective stress levels) and stress reports via standardized questionnaire scales and Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in adolescents. Method: Data of 163 adolescents ( M age = 14.26 years, SD age = 1.85; 53% female) were analyzed to examine associations between TSST measures and standardized questionnaire scales on stress level and stress symptomatology. A subsample ( N = 58; M age = 14.55 years, SD age = 1.93; 53% female) completed the TSST and provided EMA data on their current stress experience and stress symptomatology. Results: Elevated baseline cortisol in the TSST was significantly associated with more self-reported somatic complaints in the stress questionnaire. Moreover, increased subjective baseline stress and subjective stress changes in the TSST were linked to more psychological symptoms. At the same time, greater subjective stress changes during the TSST also indicated higher stress vulnerability in the questionnaire. EMA data revealed significantly higher reports of everyday stress for individuals with heightened baseline cortisol and increased subjective stress in the TSST. A more pronounced cortisol increase during the TSST was additionally linked to more somatic complaints in the EMA data. Limitations and Conclusion: Although the statistical power for the EMA part of the study was lower due to the smaller subsample, the findings highlight possible links between experimentally induced stress reactions and stress reports in everyday life as well as in standardized stress questionnaires.