A Review of Psychological Stress among Students and Its Assessment Using Salivary Biomarkers

Scientific paper - Review paper

• Author: Bruno Špiljak
• Author: Maja Vilibić
• Author: Ana Glavina
• Author: Marija Crnković
• Author: Ana Šešerko
• Author: Liborija Lugović-Mihić; MBZ: 215056
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Dental Medicine; (Chair of Dermatovenerology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Dermatovenerology

Abstract (english)

Numerous psychoneuroimmune factors participate in complex bodily reactions to psychological stress, and some of them can be easily and non-invasively measured in saliva (cortisol, alpha-amylase, proinflammatory cytokines). Cortisol plays a crucial role in the stress response; thus, stressful events (academic examinations, cardiac surgery, dental procedures) are accompanied by an increase in cortisol levels. (A correlation between cortisol blood levels and salivary values has already been confirmed, particularly during stress). Academic stress is defined as everyday stress among students that has an impact on aspects of their psychological and physiological well-being. For example, exams are considered one of the most acute stressful experiences for students. The strength of the association between academic self-efficacy, psychological stress, and anxiety depends on a variety of factors: the type of academic challenge (e.g., oral exam), the presence of an audience, etc. Higher stress levels were predominantly recorded among younger students, primarily regarding their academic tasks and concerns (grades, exams, competing with peers for grades, fear of failing the academic year, etc.). The measurement of stress levels during academic stress can improve our understanding of the character and influence of stressful events in populations of students, preventing adverse reactions to long-term stress, such as a decreased immune response and increased anxiety.

• Keywords (english): stress; psychological factors; psychological disturbances; students; saliva; biomarkers; cortisol; amylase; HPA axis
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Review paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Behavioral Sciences
• Numbering: vol. 12, no. 10, 400
• e-ISSN: 2076-328X
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12100400
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:127:111893
• Publication: 2022-10-18
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/12/10/400
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2022-11-03 11:02:24