Date of Graduation

Spring 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Committee Chairperson

Susan E. Gans, PhD

Committee Member

Kristen Breit, PhD

Committee Member

Jodi McKibben, PhD

Abstract

Abstract

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone in the body, is released in times of challenge, including challenges faced throughout the transition to college. The experience of acute stress can be assessed through cortisol measures. The present study involved a 60-minute lab assessment for first-year students to analyze their physiological response to stress. Previous research has illustrated factors which impact cortisol responses, two of which are social support and gender. In the current study, participants (n = 71) were assigned to work either by themselves (Student Alone Condition) or in a peer triad group (Peer Triad Condition). Additionally, participants identified themselves according to gender as either a man or a woman (Gender).

To study cortisol responses, two area under the curve (AUC) measures were calculated. Area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCG) represented total cortisol release, and area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCI) represented cortisol reactivity. Findings do not reflect significant differences in AUCG or AUCI between those in the Student Alone Condition and those in the Peer Triad Condition. There were also no gender differences in either AUCG or AUCI and no significant interactions between social condition and gender. The present study did not replicate previous literature findings indicating the protective benefits of a social buffering effect on cortisol responsivity or gender differences in cortisol responses. Moving forward, a larger sample size is needed to verify these results. This study builds upon existing literature examining stress and social buffering during the emerging adult transition to college.

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