title: The effect of guided relaxation on cortisol and affect: Stress reactivity as a moderator.
abstract: Stress-reduction interventions have been linked with enhanced well-being and health. This study examined affect and cortisol in 111 individuals randomly assigned to a single 35-minute guided relaxation or a stress management lecture control group. Positive affect increased more in the relaxation compared to the control group ( F = 6.62, p = .01). Dispositional stress reactivity had a moderating influence ( R2= .248, p < .001), such that individuals high in stress reactivity showed highest increases in positive affect to the relaxation. Results indicate that a single guided relaxation intervention improves positive affect among individuals high in stress reactivity.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of California, Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.affiliation: 1 University of California, Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Busse
authors.affiliation: 1 University of California, Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: Ilona S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Yim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012463:Saliva; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: affect; cortisol; guided relaxation; intervention; stress