Ten ignored questions for stress psychology research

Psych J. 2022 Feb;11(1):132-141. doi: 10.1002/pchj.520. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Abstract

Stress psychology is an interesting and important interdisciplinary research field. In this perspective article, we briefly discuss 10 challenges related to the conceptual definition, research methodology, and translation in the field of stress that do not receive sufficient attention or are ignored entirely. Future research should attempt to integrate a comprehensive stress conceptual framework into a multidimensional comprehensive stress model, incorporating subjective and objective indicators as comprehensive measures. The popularity of machine learning, cognitive neuroscience, and gene epigenetics is a promising approach that brings innovation to the field of stress psychology. The development of wearable devices that precisely record physiological signals to assess stress responses in naturalistic situations, standardize real-life stressors, and measure baselines presents challenges to address in the future. Conducting large individualized and digital intervention studies could be crucial steps in enhancing the translation of research.

Keywords: challenging issues; conceptual definition; research methodology; stress psychology; translation.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Research Design*
  • Stress, Psychological*