Minutes that matter: A microburst approach to adolescents’ resolution of affect in response to daily stressors

Adolescence is a period of heightened stress vulnerability, yet the microtemporal dynamics of affective stress responses remain poorly understood. Using an ecological momentary assessment design with four 15-minute microburst-assessments within the first post-stressor hour, we tracked negative (NA) and positive affect (PA) in 288 adolescents (ages 12–21) over 14 days. Piecewise multilevel growth curve models, compared across three affective reference points (i.e., baselines), revealed sharp reactivity followed by rapid initial stabilization succeeded by decelerated recovery. Stressor intensity amplified both NA and PA reactivity and decelerated later NA recovery. Interpersonal stressors elicited stronger NA reactivity, whereas social company buffered PA decline. Adolescents with elevated internalizing symptoms showed profoundly reduced PA levels - exceeding corresponding NA elevations - alongside initially faster but subsequently decelerated PA recovery. Greater stress exposure robustly dampened affective reactivity, with effects on recovery varying by baseline specification. Results underscore the importance of temporally aligning theoretical constructs with methodological decisions.