Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

An Alternative to the Traditional Cold Pressor Test: The Cold Pressor Arm Wrap
Published on: January 16, 2014
Interdependent self-construal modulates the adrenocortical stress response in the socially evaluated cold-pressor
Abstract:
Previous studies suggested that the Trier social stress test (TSST) induced a higher cortisol stress response in individuals with high interdependent self-construal (InterSC) as compared to those with low InterSC, and that participants' perception of social evaluative threat mediated the association between InterSC and cortisol stress response. To further examine if individuals with high InterSC exhibit a strong psychological stress response independent of the stress paradigm, the current study investigated the stress response of individuals with high InterSC in a socially evaluated cold-pressor test (SECPT) paradigm, which has also been shown to reliably increase hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity with a social evaluative element. Fifty-five healthy participants (29 females; mean age = 20.55 years) completed the Self-Construal Scale and their salivary cortisol samples were collected at 0, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after waking up on a weekday morning. Participants' cardiovascular and adrenocortical stress responses in the SECPT were also measured while they immersed their hand in ice water, and they were observed by the experimenter and videotaped during this task. Our results indicated that participants with high InterSC showed a higher level of cortisol awakening response (CAR). Additionally, they perceived higher levels of social evaluative threat and exhibited higher saliva cortisol response to the SECPT. Taken together, the present findings and those obtained from previous studies suggest a significant and reliable role of InterSC in regulating biological and psychological stress responses.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Responses to Salt Stress
Social Exchange Theory
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Stress Response System
Alarm stage
In the alarm stage, the body's...
Psychological Responses to Stress

