Whether an upright seated posture could influence responses to a psychological stress task, relative to a slumped seated posture.
Method: 74 participants randomly assigned to either a slumped or upright seated posture. Participants completed several tasks and assessments.
Conclusions: Adopting an upright seated posture in the face of stress can maintain self-esteem, reduce negative mood, and increase positive mood compared to a slumped posture.
Sitting upright may be a simple behavioral strategy to help build resilience to stress.