University of Twente Student Theses
Reactivity testing on self-regulation and psychological well-being in the daily life of students : an experience sampling study
Dierkes, L. (2020) Reactivity testing on self-regulation and psychological well-being in the daily life of students : an experience sampling study.
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Abstract: | Background: Nowadays, applying biofeedback technology has been found to be an effective candidate to reduce stress and increase mental well-being in people. However, only few studies have tested whether such an effect could also be caused by alternative explanations other than the biofeedback device itself. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether a so-called reactivity effect, meaning that participants are reactive towards being measured, could occur by measuring student´s self-regulation capacities and their psychological well-being within the approach of experience sampling without integrating a biofeedback device. Methods: 36 participants were assigned to a 4-days experience sampling study that included responding to questions which measured their level of self-regulation and psychological well-being throughout the day. Their pre-and- post-measurement scores in self-regulation and psychological well-being were compared to a control group, consisting of 9 participants, who only filled out the pre-post measurement. Furthermore, it was also examined whether participants who adhered more strongly to the experience sampling method achieved a higher change in self-regulation. Results: No reactivity effect could be confirmed within this study, as no change in self-regulation nor psychological well-being was found. Being exposed to think about and reflect on one’s self-regulation and psychological well-being did not have a treatment-like effect on participants and, no higher change was detected in participants who adhered more strongly to the experiment. Discussion: The results suggest to conduct follow up studies into biofeedback as a reactivity effect that might limit the effectiveness of biofeedback related to self-regulation and psychological well-being could be ruled out for the current study. However, future research should integrate more large-scale and longer studies to be able to draw valid conclusions and to provide more knowledge about biofeedback technologies with regard to self-regulation. |
Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
Subject: | 77 psychology |
Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/81671 |
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