Project Description
We want to see 1) if engagement (vs. no engagement) in self-selected leisure activities (SSLAs, activities that people already intrinsically enjoy and do freely) is linked with ensuing day- and night-time cardiovascular and affective responses as well as daily physical activity (e.g., number of steps) and nighttime sleep quality and 2) if low scores on psychosocial risk factors (e.g., trait worry) further improve these responses. We will finish conducting online surveys of SSLAs, personality, demographic and health status. Next, researchers will finish asking participants to wear activity monitors (Fit-Bits) for 10 straight days, while they go through their normal daily activities. Participants will also be asked to complete 4 daily electronic dairy measures of moods and activities plus a short awakening survey of sleep quality. The results of this project will serve as key pilot data for federal and foundation planned proposals testing the impact of doing SSLAs more optimally, coping styles and standard relaxation interventions (e.g., mindfulness meditation) on daily sleep and heart rate levels with more diverse at-risk persons.
Tasks and Responsibilites
Student will be responsible for the following. First, this fall and beyond, they will help run pilot subjects for a 10-day electronic diary assessment of SSLAs. Specifically, they will help researchers recruit prospective subjects, schedule subjects for a screening survey and lab visits, and collect, download and process related study data. Then by the end of spring 2026, they will be prepared to recruit subjects and collect data autonomously. They will learn more about this research by being a pilot subject for the above-mentioned initial study of daily leisure stress coping and health. They will learn how to run preliminary analyses in a variety of statistical analysis programs and assist in the preparation of reports. Finally, they will conduct key literature searches and help prepare initial drafts of literature reviews for 1-2 conference presentations, of which we expect them to eventually be a co-author on one.
Desired Qualifications
None Listed.