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Updated: Sep 6, 2025

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Is perceived stress linked to enhanced cognitive functioning and reduced risk for psychopathology? Testing the
Assaf Oshri1, Zehua Cui2, Cory Carvalho2
1Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Dawson Hall, 305 Sanford Drive, Athens, GA 30602, United States; Youth Development Institute, University of Georgia, Room 208, 105 Foster Road (Pound Hall), Athens, GA 30606, United States; Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.
Abstract:
Extensive research documents the impact of psychosocial stress on risk for the development of psychiatric symptoms across one's lifespan. Further, evidence exists that cognitive functioning mediates this link. However, a growing body of research suggests that limited stress can result in cognitive benefits that may contribute to resilience. The hypothesis that low-to-moderate levels of stress are linked to more adaptive outcomes has been referred to as hormesis. Using a sample of young adults from the Human Connectome Project (N = 1,206, 54.4% female, Mage = 28.84), the present study aims to test the hormetic effect between low-to-moderate perceived stress and psychopathological symptoms (internalizing and externalizing symptoms), as well as to cross-sectionally explore the intermediate role of cognitive functioning in this effect. Results showed cognitive functioning as a potential intermediating mechanism underlying the curvilinear associations between perceived stress and externalizing, but not internalizing, behaviors. This study provides preliminary support for the benefits of limited stress to the process of human resilience.
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