Daytracker Study, 2007-2008

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between affective states (e.g. happy, angry, anxious) and biological markers (e.g. cortisol, heart rate variability) in everyday life in working women. This study also aimed to compare the associations between affect and biology in samples for the United Kingdom and Hungary. There is growing interest in positive psychological states such as happiness, and there is increasing evidence that positive states predict good health (Pressman and Cohen, 2005). Healthier lifestyles may be responsible, but there is also evidence that positive affect is accompanied by favourable immune profiles, endocrine system function and reduced cardiovascular stress responses (Steptoe, Dockray and Wardle, 2009). These biological responses may influence health risk. Recent advances in technology have enabled the modelling of affect, activities and biology in natural environmental settings. <br> <br> Healthy working women in London and Budapest (401 women in total) underwent two 24-hour monitoring sessions, one over a working day and one over a weekend day. Biological measurement involved continuous assessment of electrocardiogram and physical activity, and periodic sampling of saliva for cortisol assessment. The measurement of twelve different affective states involved standardised questionnaire measures, six ecological momentary assessments over the day, and the day reconstruction method at the end of the 24-hour monitoring period.<br> <br> The main analyses have yet to be completed, but higher levels of positive affect were found in London than Hungary, and in London, associations have been found between optimism, heart rate and heart rate variability. Further information about the project may be found on the <a href="http://www.esrcsocietytoday/my-esrc/grants/RES-177-25-0005/read" title="International Study of Biology and Positive Well-Being">International Study of Biology and Positive Well-Being</a> ESRC award page.<br> <br>