Executive Functioning and Acute Stress Responses: The Role of Cognitive Appraisals, Repetitive Thinking, and Emotion Regulation

Exposure to stress can have significant, negative consequences on long-term health. Among potentially modifiable targets for promoting more adaptive stress responses, executive functioning has emerged as a promising candidate. These functions may be involved in limiting excessive stress reactivity when exposed to an acute stressor, while also promoting faster recovery (i.e., return to baseline). Fewer studies have been conducted to date on the role of executive functioning in acute stress – especially with a focus on its distinct facets (e.g., inhibition, flexibility, working memory, and updating). Moreover, there is a need for research focused on potential cognitive and behavioral mediators explaining the relationship between executive functioning and stress responses. Thus, the current study sought to examine the extent to which executive functioning facets may play a beneficial role in acute stress reactivity and recovery. Furthermore, we will examine the mediational role of cognitive appraisals, repetitive negative thinking, and emotion regulation. The findings may shed light on existing cognition-stress pathways that promote more adaptive acute stress responses.