TABLE 3.
Effects of Optimism and Self-Consciousness on Heart Rate, Cortisol, and Skin Conductance
| ΔR2 | F(df) | p < | β | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart rate (task) | ||||
| Step 3 | .04 | 3.44 (2, 40) | .04 | |
| Self-consciousness | .20*** | |||
| Optimism | .12* | |||
| Step 4 | .00 | 0.77 (1, 39) | .39 | |
| Self-Consciousness × Optimism | .08 | |||
| Cortisol slope | ||||
| Step 3 | .01 | 0.25 (2, 37) | .78 | |
| Self-consciousness | .08 | |||
| Optimism | .04 | |||
| Step 4 | .06 | 6.14 (1, 36) | .02 | |
| Self-Consciousness × Optimism | .28*** | |||
| Skin conductance level (15 minutes posttask) | ||||
| Step 3 | .01 | 0.84 (2, 40) | .44 | |
| Self-consciousness | −.10 | |||
| Optimism | .05 | |||
| Step 4 | .04 | 5.42 (1, 39) | .03 | |
| Self-Consciousness × Optimism | .24*** | |||
| Skin conductance level (45 minutes posttask) | ||||
| Step 3 | .02 | 1.20 (2, 40) | .31 | |
| Self-consciousness | −.09 | |||
| Optimism | .10 | |||
| Step 4 | .04 | 4.38 (1, 39) | .04 | |
| Self-Consciousness × Optimism | .25*** | |||
NOTE: Steps 1 and 2 controlled for demographics, baseline values, medications, and ACT scores, as well as steroid medications (e.g., steroid nasal sprays) for cortisol analyses. Baseline values were a strong predictor in all models (β = .66–.85). In the cortisol model, sex and steroid medications were also significant predictors, such that women and participants taking steroid medications had flatter cortisol slopes. In the interest of space, only Steps 3 and 4 are shown.
*
p < .15 (two-tailed test).
***
p < .05 (two-tailed test).