Validation of Stress Assessment using Mobile Phone

By : C. Kalaivani Ashok , S. Karunanidhi , R. Narayanan

Page No: 479-488

Abstract
An experimental study was conducted to validate stressMobile that measures and quantifies stress in human body using voice analysis. A pre-test post-test experimental study was conducted. A convenience sample of fifty four university students that comprised of twenty females and thirty four males were included in the study. Participants were exposed individually to psychological stress task (public speaking and mental arithmetic before an audience) with samples of voice and saliva collected before and after the task at specified times. The experimental sessions were conducted between 3-5.30 pm on all days. Dependent sample t-test conducted between pre and post salivary cortisol values and ricochet values of stress depicted a significant increase in post-test values of cortisol and ricochets. This indicated effective induction of stress resulting in a rise in cortisol and ricochet values. Correlation analysis between salivary cortisol and ricochet values from stressMobile revealed a moderately positive relationship both in the pre and post test period. The near identical characteristic of the relationship between salivary cortisol and ricochet values of stress both in the pre and post intervention period indicate validity of the stressMobile in assessing stress.

Authors :
C. Kalaivani Ashok : Associate Professor, Department of Home Science, Queen Mary’s College, Chennai 600 004.
S. Karunanidhi : Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, University of Madras, Chennai 600 005.
R. Narayanan : Cofounder and CEO — 3GS Wellness Pvt Ltd. 1F Centralis 27 ABM Avenue, RA Puram, Chennai 600028