Everyday Stress and Core Affect: Examination of the Dynamic Model of Affect

Abstract

The paper aimed to test the Dynamic model of affect which postulates that the relationship between pleasant and unpleasant affective states depends on contextual factors related to the complexity of information processing. The model was tested analysing intraindividual changes in the relationship between pleasant and unpleasant core affect, as a function of perceived stress. Data was collected using the experience sampling method in two diary studies. After receiving a signal, participants recorded their current affective states and appraisals of the current situation, several times a day within a few days. Analyses were conducted on a sample of experiences from 2879 measurement points, recorded by 70 miscellaneous students (Study 1), and on a sample of experiences from 3284 measurement points, recorded by 50 psychology students (Study 2). The results of multilevel analyses showed the same trend in both studies – in more stressful situations the average relationship between pleasant and unpleasant affective experiences changes toward higher negative values. The findings support the Dynamic model of affect.