Stress mindset, perceived stress, and the association with cognitive function using ecological momentary assessment.

Background

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Objectives

People who are unable to adapt to daily stress are more likely to experience short-term cognitive failures; a person's mindset (e.g., a stress-is-enhancing mindset - the belief that stress can enhance performance) may buffer this association.

Design

Using data from 286 participants (40-70 years), we examined the association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and momentary perceptions of stress and cognition in daily life using a micro-longitudinal study design.

Methods

Stress mindset was measured at baseline, and perceptions of stress and cognitive function (spatial memory, sustained visual attention, processing speed) were measured three times a day for eight days (6,188 observations).

Results

Multilevel models adjusted for temporal and contextual factors indicated that stress mindset was unrelated to momentary perceived stress, and momentary perceived stress was unrelated to momentary cognitive function. Furthermore, a stress-is-enhancing mindset did not moderate the association between perceived stress and cognition.

Conclusions

Despite theoretical and experimental work highlighting the benefits of a stress-is-enhancing mindset, our findings suggest this benefit may not extend to stress and cognition in daily life.