The Leiden Stroop-like Stress Task: A Tool to Reveal Challenge-Threat Dynamics Using Graded Stress Induction

• DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/74e6u_v1
• Publication Date: 2025-01-28T09:49:27Z
• Authors: Jin Yan; Frenn Bultinck; Liwen Meng; Daan Scheepers; Henk van Steenbergen
• Keywords: Stroop effect; Dynamics

Stress evokes a complex repertoire of psychological and physiological responses associated with the appraisal challenge or threat. This paper introduces Leiden Stroop-like Task (LSST), paradigm designed to induce progressively increasing levels stress related changes in challenge-threat dynamics by manipulating time pressure (task difficulty), ability achieve task goal (uncontrollability), negative feedback (social-evaluative threat) throughout four 10-minute blocks. Fifty-four healthy adults (63% female; mean age = 21 ± 3 years) completed LSST, repeated assessments subjective appraisal, continuous cardiovascular recordings. Results confirmed LSST’s effectiveness eliciting progressive increases sympathetic activation, reflected heart rate, blood pressure, pre-ejection period changes. On average, appraisals remained on side bipolar continuum, while indicators suggested relative threat as indicated increased total peripheral resistance. Exploratory within-subject correlations revealed alignment between whereas demonstrated quadratic relationships measures. Latent class analysis scores three subgroups: non-responders, challengers, biphasic responders. These subgroups also showed distinct but not trajectories. Our findings demonstrate that LSST enables graded induction effectively captures across levels. We discuss potential this provide insights into individual differences interventions aimed at resilience.