StressProv

StressProv is a standardized protocol and framework for inducing and measuring acute psychosocial stress in controlled experiments. It specifies a set of stress-eliciting tasks and a core battery of outcomes designed to improve comparability of findings across studies investigating stress reactivity.

The concept draws on established stress-induction paradigms such as social evaluative threat and timed cognitive tasks, combining them with explicit timing, safety, and debriefing guidelines. By harmonizing procedures, StressProv aims to reduce methodological variance that can confound interpretations of how stress affects physiology and behavior.

Typical components include induction tasks (for example, public speaking or rapid mental arithmetic under pressure), standardized trial lengths, and a protocol for participant welfare. Measurements commonly encompass physiological signals (heart rate, heart rate variability, skin conductance), endocrine markers (salivary cortisol), and self-report scales of perceived stress or anxiety. Data handling favors preregistration and transparent reporting.

Applications span psychophysiology, cognitive neuroscience, clinical psychology, and occupational health research, supporting investigations into stress reactivity, resilience, and the impact of stress on memory and decision making.

Limitations include variability in individual stress sensitivity, potential ethical concerns, and questions about ecological validity. Critics note that laboratory stressors may not capture real-world stressors, and results can depend on sample characteristics and measurement choices. Ongoing work seeks to balance standardization with realism and participant safety.