Exploring the Link Between Stress and Working Memory in Adults.
Constança Carvalho1, Cláudia Reis1, Margarida Serrano1,2
1Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|December 30, 2025
Summary
High perceived stress negatively impacts auditory working memory performance, especially in younger adults. This suggests stress management is crucial for cognitive function and accurate assessments.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Stress Research
Background:
- Working memory (WM) is vital for cognitive functions like reasoning and learning.
- Stress is known to influence working memory capacity and efficiency.
- This study examined the link between perceived stress and auditory working memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between perceived stress levels and auditory working memory performance.
- To determine if stress impacts the ability to recall phonologically demanding information.
- To explore potential age-related differences in stress and working memory.
Main Methods:
- 24 adults (16 women, 8 men; median age 22) participated.
- Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).
- Auditory working memory was assessed using a pseudoword span task under phonological load.
Main Results:
- Higher perceived stress correlated with lower accuracy in auditory working memory, particularly on the most challenging sets.
- Increased stress was associated with greater performance variability and decline across memory sets.
- Higher stress scores were linked to younger age, suggesting younger adults may experience more stress.
Conclusions:
- Elevated stress negatively affects working memory efficiency, especially for phonological processing tasks.
- Cognitive assessments should consider individual stress levels for accurate interpretation.
- Findings support the hypothesis that stress impairs working memory, with implications for cognitive health.
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