Comparative study of working memory performance, behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition (BIS) based on the dimensions of stress in adolescents

The aim of the present study was to investigate the amount of performance in working memory, and also comparing the dimensions of behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) in different levels of stress. For this purpose, first, 560 persons of high school adolescent students (including boys and girls) of Hamadan's schools were selected through a multistage cluster sampling. After the initial data analysis, 87 of them, based on final score distribution (Z Standard) were chosen. Finally, in order to test the hypothesis of this study, participants were have studied to measure working memory and behavioral inhibition and behavioral activation systems. The collected data were analyzed using a Multivariate analysis of variance, ANOVA and post hoc tests. Results showed that there is no significant interaction between gender and stress variables considering the working memory and behavioral inhibition and activation system. On the other hand, results showed that high stress levels can lead to a decline in working memory function and participants with high levels of stress were also at higher level in terms of activity of behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS).