Measurement of Human Stress: A Multidimensional Approach

Stress is a multi-dimensional construct that is comprised of exposure to events, perceptions of stress, and physiological responses to stress. Research consistently demonstrates a strong association between stress and a myriad of physical and mental health concerns, resulting in a pervasive and interdisciplinary agreement on the importance of investigating the relationship between stress and health. Developing a holistic understanding of stress requires assessment of the three domains vital to the study of stress: 1) the presence of environmental stressors, 2) psychological and biological reactions to stressors, and 3) the length of time over which the stressor or stress response occurs. Self-reports allow for subjective evaluations of stress that illuminate the duration and severity of the psychological response to stressors. Biomarkers, in turn, capture a more objective measure of stress and create a deeper understanding of the biological response to chronic and acute stress. Finally, the use of digital biomarkers allows for further exploration of the physiological fluctuations caused by stress by measuring the changes occurring at the same time as the stressor. Future research on stress and health should favor a multi-dimensional approach that creates a triangulated picture of stress, drawing from each of the three aforementioned method groups.