Modulation of executive functioning by social stress: a behavioural study ( Modulación del funcionamiento ejecutivo por estrés social: un estudio conductual )

Abstract

Executive Functions (EFs) correspond to a general construct of cognitive abilities aimed at optimizing problem-solving and regulating behaviour effectively and efficiently. The current consensus model of EFs comprises three components: working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. The present study sought to evaluate differences in task performance assessing EFs when subjects are confronted with a social stress paradigm related to the ‘white coat phenomenon’. It involved 40 Chilean university students, mean age 21.8 years, who were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: in the presence of social stress (treatment) or in the absence of social stress (control). The results showed a partial impact of the white coat phenomenon, with statistically significant differences at p ≤ .05, when comparing both conditions in relation to the tasks that evaluated inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, with both tasks presenting a higher speed of response in the experimental condition of social stress, with the accuracy of the responses being unaffected.