Stress mindset, perceived stress, and the association with cognitive function using ecological momentary assessment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: People who are unable to adapt to daily stress are more likely to experience short-term cognitive failures; a person's mindset (e.g., a stress-is-enhancing mindset - the belief that stress can enhance performance) may buffer this association. DESIGN: Using data from 286 participants (40-70 years), we examined the association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and momentary perceptions of stress and cognition in daily life using a micro-longitudinal study design. METHODS: Stress mindset was measured at baseline, and perceptions of stress and cognitive function (spatial memory, sustained visual attention, processing speed) were measured three times a day for eight days (6,188 observations). RESULTS: Multilevel models adjusted for temporal and contextual factors indicated that stress mindset was unrelated to momentary perceived stress, and momentary perceived stress was unrelated to momentary cognitive function. Furthermore, a stress-is-enhancing mindset did not moderate the association between perceived stress and cognition. CONCLUSIONS: Despite theoretical and experimental work highlighting the benefits of a stress-is-enhancing mindset, our findings suggest this benefit may not extend to stress and cognition in daily life.