Veronica Bucci
Pawling High School USA
Title: The Effects of Stress & Anxiety on Memory, Self-Efficacy, & Impulsivity among Adolescents Ages 13-17
Biography
Biography: Veronica Bucci
Abstract
Stress and anxiety are key mental factors that are a part of the brain’s extensive network. Caused by the hormone cortisol, stress and anxiety can bring detrimental effects to other aspects of the mind. Previous literature has identified a correlation between adult stress and anxiety, low self-esteem, a loss in ability to retain memories, and impulsive decision-making. Adolescents, ages thirteen to seventeen years old, have not been investigated due to the shortened duration of human adolescence. However, this adolescent time frame plays a crucial role in the developmental stages of the mind. Self-efficacy inductions of positive, negative, and neutral emotions were used as an indicator to the functionality of memory and impulsivity. Survey-based analysis was used through the combination of episodic memory tasks and compared to the induced emotional states. This research investigated past and present memories that involved stressful situations that prompted a teenager to change their behavior and ability to properly complete described tasks. Results suggest that during adolescence, memory retention is higher when positive self-efficacy was utilized, in comparison to the low self-efficacy induction. Impulsivity was relatively the same throughout each self-efficacy group. The high selfefficacy group scored higher (m = 18.1429) in comparison to the low (m = 8.4286) and neutral (m = 13.3571) inductions. Significant results for positive self-efficacy caused a higher ability to retain memories and be descriptive (p = .01912). Further research should explore the integration of positive self-efficacy in episodic memory exercises to improve brain functionality, memory retention and impulsivity.