Physiological stress reactivity and recovery: conceptual siblings separated at birth?
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 2, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. wlinden@cortex.psych.ubc.ca
Abstract:
This article discusses theoretical assumptions underlying physiological stress reactivity research. It examines early conceptualizations of activation and recovery and contrasts these with current practices in designing, analyzing, and reporting stress reactivity studies. Study protocols from four major journals covering the last 2 years of publication were examined for current practices. Of the 105 studies which tested physiological reactivity, 63% collected recovery data but only 23% reported the recovery data. We concluded that stress recovery issues are neglected and a renewed case is made for their conceptual and ecological importance. The case for studying recovery is further supported by a selective review of studies using recovery protocols that revealed positive findings not apparent in reactivity comparisons only. Finally, options for sound design of recovery protocols, statistical processing of resulting data, and interpretation of findings are presented.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Psychological Responses to Stress
Stress Response System
Alarm stage
In the alarm stage, the body's initial...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Components of Stress
Interestingly, the hidden cube faces also experience these stresses, equal and opposite to those on the...

