The Effects of Social Support on Perceived Mood and Perceived Muscle Tension

<p>The researcher examined the effects of social support on stress reactivity following a moderate psychological stressor. The first independent variable (IV), social support, had two levels: alone (A) and pairs (P). The participants in the pairs level took part in the study with a friend. Participants in the alone level took part in the study by themselves. The second IV, period, had two levels: pre-stressor (Pre) and post-stressor (Post). Stress was induced with a mental arithmetic serial subtraction task and was measured by perceived mood state with the Perception of Mood States (POMS) and perceived muscle tension with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). The results showed a main effect of social support on perceived mood both pre and post stressor and a main effect period on perceived mood. Due to study limitations, it not possible to determine the extent to which social support buffers participants from stress reactivity; however, incorporating social support into stress management and musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention programs can enhance their efficacy.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Human Factors and Systems

Year

2003

Author dc:creator

• Karr, Ashley B.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Elizabeth L. Blickensderfer
• Albert J. Boquet
• Sylvia Rohmer

• social support
• mood
• muscle tension
• Cognition and Perception
• Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/94

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.erau.edu:db-theses-1136