Affective Modelling of Eustress and Distress using Psychological Scales

Abstract

This article is a case study that illustrates how a linear regression model can be implemented in eustress and distress analysis based on the correlation between emotion and stress and uses it to develop prediction equations of stress. This study proposes the use of five questionnaires; Perceived Stress Scale 10, Academic Eustress scale, Academic Distress scale, Bosse’s Distress Eustress scale and Adolescent Distress Eustress scale to determine perceived stress, eustress or distress. A sixth questionnaire, the Self-Assessment Manikin was used to determine emotional state in terms of valence and arousal, which are represented on 2-dimensional axis, where the x axis represents valence, and the y axis represents arousal. An analysis of the relationship between the results of the stress questionnaires and results of SAM based valence and arousal is carried out. Significant correlations are then used to derive regression equations used to predict eustress, distress or perceived stress. The findings showed that neither valence nor arousal was correlated with perceived stress, hence no regression equation was derived for it. However, valence and/or arousal were correlated with the remaining five questionnaires. Finally, this article analyzes the predictions comparing actual vs predicted values. Error analysis showed that the ADES questionnaire had the lowest average error, making it the most suitable in predicting eustress and distress from emotion.