Psychophysiological response to social stressorsRelevance of sex and age

  1. Matias M. Pulopulos 3
  2. Vanesa Hidalgo 1
  3. Sara Puig-Pérez 2
  4. Alicia Salvador 2
  1. 1 Universidad de Zaragoza
    info

    Universidad de Zaragoza

    Zaragoza, España

    ROR https://ror.org/012a91z28

  2. 2 Universidad Internacional de Valencia
    info

    Universidad Internacional de Valencia

    Valencia, España

    ROR https://ror.org/00gjj5n39

  3. 3 Ghent University
    info

    Ghent University

    Gante, Bélgica

    ROR https://ror.org/00cv9y106

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Journal:
Psicothema

ISSN: 0214-9915

Year of publication: 2018

Volume: 30

Issue: 2

Pages: 171-176

Type: Article

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More publications in: Psicothema

Abstract

Background: Understanding the factors involved in the psychophysiological response of people in acute stressful situations is crucial to the prevention and treatment of stress-related health problems. We aim to integrate the results of studies investigating the role of sex and age in the inter-individual variability in several biomarkers of the stress response Methods: We summarize the main findings of our research group and other laboratories regarding sex and age-related differences in the psychophysiological response to psychosocial stress. Results: Sex-related differences in the stress response are observed in blood pressure and cortisol, but not in heart rate, heart rate variability, or salivary alpha-amylase. Additionally, age may explain differences in cortisol levels and basal sympathetic nervous system activity. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of taking sex and age into account in order to understand the stress response and its possible negative effects on health.

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Funding information

This research was supported by the Spanish Education and Science Ministry (SEJ2004-07191/PSIC, SEJ2007-62019/PSIC, PSI2010/21343, PSI2013/46889) and the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO 2011/048 and PROMETEOII2015/20). M.M.P. is a postdoctoral research fellow of the Special Research Fund (BOF; 01P18916) at Gent University.

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