Assessment of Stress in Daily Life
Daily life assessment and self-care are important in stress assessment, not just assessments conducted in institutions. In this study, we have established a method of assessing daily life stress using measurement and analysis technologies using smartphones and wearable devices, and we are investigating the relationship between physiological and psychological daily life assessment and stress-related disorders, as well as the overall health of individuals.
When assessing stress in daily life, it is important to consider patterns of change over different time spans, such as daily, weekly and even longer-term changes related to seasonal rhythms. These patterns of change have different meanings, and their relevance to mental and physical health suggests their importance in stress assessment.
- Daily Changes: Rhythms and variations between activities during the day and sleep at night.
- Weekly Changes: Rhythms and variations between weekdays and weekends.
- Longer-term Changes: Rhythms and variations related to seasonal changes.
These variations have different implications for mental and physical health, and their importance in stress assessment is suggested.
Challenges and Issues to be Addressed
The impact of stress on social activities and physical and mental health is increasingly significant, particularly in the current COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, various health management devices (apps) and health management systems are being developed. Several issues have been suggested with such systems:
- Data analysis: While a large amount of data can be obtained, the challenge is how to analyse it and link it to managing stress and managing health.
- Stay motivated: It is often difficult to sustain measurement, even if there is initial interest. Different things need to be considered depending on those targeted.
- Difficulties in validation: These systems involve many intervening factors and are complex, making it difficult to validate the effectiveness.
- Feedback issues: Feedback of information to self (monitoring) is important, not just measurement. The challenge is how to provide feedback effectively.
Relationship with Interoception
In health management and stress management, the function of understanding the body’s internal state, known as “ interoception ,” has been recognized as important.
Daily monitoring of mind and body is expected to enhance this function of interoception.
In this case, the relationship between physiological measurement “objective assessment” and how one felt “subjective assessment” is crucial.
Information is only useful when grasped by oneself and utilized for health management and stress management. What kind of measurements should be taken, how to monitor, and how to provide feedback to enhance interoception and connect it to health management and stress management.
This study, which focuses on the weekly and daily rhythms and changes of physiological and psychological indicators and explores their relationship with mental and physical health, is expected to provide fundamental insights as we collaborate with various companies to develop stress assessment and stress care systems.
In health and stress management, the function of understanding the internal state of the body, known as ‘interoception’, has been recognised as important.
Daily monitoring of mind and body is expected to enhance this function of interoception.
In this case, the relationship between physiological measurement “objective assessment” and how one feels “subjective assessment” is crucial.
Information is only useful if it is understood and used for health and stress management. What kind of measurements should be taken, how should they be monitored and how should feedback be provided to improve interoception and link it to health and stress management.
This study, which focuses on the weekly and daily rhythms and changes in physiological and psychological measures and their relationship to mental and physical health, is expected to provide fundamental insights as we work with various companies to develop stress assessment and management systems.
Related Projects
- 2014-2016 Pfizer Health Research Foundation, The 23rd Domestic Collaborative Research
Study on self-care medical system by psychophysiological monitoring at home. - 2017-2020 Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI-PROJECT-17K09335)
Study on stress assessment and prediction of disease risk by psychosomatic monitoring in daily life - Self-monitoring Diary
Publication
- Kanbara, K., & Morita, Y. (2019). Stress assessment by psychophysiological monitoring in daily life. Impact, 2019(8), 48–50. https://doi.org/10.21820/23987073.2019.8.48