Comparing the efficacy of online vs. offline methods in modulating emotional responses through mental stress tasks
Authors:   Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Science, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ward 4, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tran Luan Van ,   Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Le Anh Phuc Hoang ,   Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,   School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Quarter 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Le Thao Thi Mai ,   Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,   School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Quarter 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nguyen My Thi Tra ,   Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Science, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ward 4, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,   Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nguyen Quang Lam ,   Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,   School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Quarter 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Ha Huong Thi Thanh ,   Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,   School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Quarter 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Published: June 2024

Emotion regulation and stress represent two complex, intertwined processes. Yet, there is a paucity of studies examining the effect of stress on emotional regulation among Vietnamese students, specifically the influence of online and offline experimental conditions. This study investigates these dynamics by subjective assessment of the emotional responses of the subjects participating in this study. The research was structured in three primary phases: preliminary, online (conducted via the Internet), and offline (conducted in person) experiments. The preliminary phase (N=16) aimed to validate the appropriateness of the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) picture library and emotional stimulation videos from previous studies. Participants in the online (N=30) and offline (N=45) experiments were divided into control and stress groups, distinguished by the difficulty and urgency of the mental arithmetic task (MAT). Participants were then asked to view photos and videos and to rate their subjective feelings using the Self-assessment Manikin (SAM). The online experimental session revealed that subjects under acute stress exhibited heightened sensitivity, as indicated by increased valence scores in the positive and neutral groups, and decreased scores for negative imagery (Positive: MD=0.292, p=0.0113; Neutral: MD=0.245, p=0.001; Negative: MD=-0.435, p<0.0001). An increase in arousal scores in the stress group was also observed for positive (p<0.0001) and neutral sets (p<0.0001). However, these findings were not replicated in the offline experiment session. In conclusion, the IAPS pictures have proven suitable for emotional studies among Vietnamese students.