Figure 1.
Assessment of dependent variables during the experiment.
Assessment of blood and saliva samples, subjective mood and needs is indicated by a •. Abbreviations: C = placing the catheter; RP = rest period;CB = Cyberball; PS = poststress period; DB = debriefing.
Table 1.
Comparison of groups with respect to control variables and baseline values.
Figure 2.
Means and SEMs of differences from baseline (Δ = difference from baseline) of participants' mood ratings via Differential Affect Scales ‘happiness’, ‘depression’ and ‘anger’ and the scales ‘mood’, ‘alertness’ and ‘calmness’ of the Multidimensional Mood Questionaire. Groups differed significantly with respect to their feelings during Cyberball but not during public speaking stress (* = p<.05; ** = p<.01; *** = p<.001). For baseline values see Table 1, results of statistical analyses are shown in Table 3.
Table 2.
Effects of Cyberball on threat of fundamental needs.
Table 3.
Mood after Cyberball and after public speaking.
Figure 3.
Salivary cortisol concentrations.
Means and SEMs of differences from baseline of salivary cortisol concentrations (Δ = difference from baseline). Repeated Measures Analyses of Covariance reveal a significant Cyberball x time interaction (F = 3.771; p = .013). For baseline value see Table 1.
Table 4.
Correlations between stress-associated alterations in cortisol (difference immediately after public speaking minus baseline) and alterations in other endocrine parameters.
Figure 4.
Means and SEMs of differences from baseline of plasma hormones (Δ = difference from baseline). For baseline values see Table 1. Repeated measures analyses of covariance reveal no significant effects for any of these parameters.