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Correlates between Chronic Stress and Executive Function in College Students

Tomeo, Nicholas Anthony
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416233242

Abstract Details

2014, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Educational Studies.
Abstract Chronic stress can generate an oversupply of cortisol to the prefrontal cortex, which can lead to impairment in executive function--sound judgment, thoughtful reflection, and higher order thinking. College students, who are in the midst of making life changing decisions, experience a great deal of stress during their matriculation. This study examined relationships between specific stressors and deficits in executive functioning and addressed the following research questions: “Which type of stress is most closely related to deficits in executive function (EF) overall?” “Which of these correlated stressors is most predictive of executive function deficit levels?” and “Which type of stress is most predictive to specific subscales of executive function deficits?” The secondary aim of this study was to answer the question, “What can be done to help college students manage stress?” Primary research data on 121 college students were gathered using two surveys: an adapted version of the Inventory of College Students’ Recent Life Experiences (ICSRLE) and the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Survey-Short Form (BDEFS-SF). This study determined that General Social Mistreatment was the highest correlated stressor with overall executive function deficits. General Social Mistreatment, Developmental Challenges, and Academic Alienation demonstrated significant predictive relationships with overall executive function deficits. Developmental Challenges, and Academic Alienation were also predictive of a number specific types of executive function deficits. Several interventions were also discovered that could be employed in universities to help college students minimize the effects of specific stressors in their life at the university. Keywords: Executive function, chronic stress, college students, cortisol, triadic model, neuropsychology
Rhonda Douglas Brown, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Jodie K. Edwards, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Marcus Johnson, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
126 p.
Educational Psychology
Executive function; chronic stress; cortisol; triadic model; neuropsychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tomeo, N. A. (2014). Correlates between Chronic Stress and Executive Function in College Students [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416233242

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tomeo, Nicholas. Correlates between Chronic Stress and Executive Function in College Students. 2014. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416233242.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tomeo, Nicholas. "Correlates between Chronic Stress and Executive Function in College Students." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1416233242

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1416233242
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.