Chronic psychological stress is now widely seen as a possible factor in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those who show excessive cardiovascular reactivity to stress –larger spikes in blood pressure – face higher risks. Previous studies showing these connections are strictly correlational. In contrast, the randomized controlled trial we conducted is designed to test whether reducing stress and stress reactivity through a mindfulness intervention can lead to improvements in stress-related physiological responses, allowing causal conclusions. I worked in the Behavioral Medicine Research Group, headed by Dr. Thomas Kamarck, running a study to examine the feasibility of a smartphone-based mindfulness intervention for reducing stress and stress reactivity in older adults at risk for CVD. Participants were randomized to an intervention or control group and were followed 3 months post-treatment. Ambulatory monitoring assessments were administered to determine whether the intervention produces reductions in daily life stress exposures and reductions in responses to stress in the natural environment. In this presentation, I will describe the challenges that we faced in carrying out a randomized clinical trial in Health Psychology, future directions for the study, and possible applications of this research to my own future career interests in the field of school psychology.
