Microanalysis of the relationship between goal self-efficacy and cardiovascular reactivity. A test for the moderating role of incentive value and the mediating role of anxiety

Eighty-three subjects were asked to solve a series of 15 mathematical problems after having been randomly assigned to an easy (5 problems) or to a difficult (9 problems) performance challenge. In addition to this, in order to create a sense of threat, subjects were told that a loud noise would be contingent upon failing to attain the performance challenge. Goal self-efficacy was computed from calculating the difference between self-efficacy level and the performance challenge. Intrinsic incentive value was derived from a six-item scale measuring the intensity of negative affects expected by the subject to be contingent upon a hypothetical failure to attain the goal. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were collected during both the task performance and a prior rest phase. Anxiety-state was measured during the task performance as well. Statistical analyses revealed that interaction of goal self-efficacy and intrinsic incentive value partially predicted systolic blood pressure and heart rate reactivity. A main effect of self-efficacy was found on diastolic blood pressure. Overall, data best fitted to non-linear, quadratic functions in which either very low or very high self-efficacy, jointly with high incentive value, led to an enhanced cardiovascular reactivity. These findings are partially consistent with those previously obtained, and point to a complex model in which self-efficacy exerts specific effects on each cardiovascular parameter, usually in a non-monotonical way. Again, incentive value appeared as a moderator, but anxiety-state did not appear as a mediator of the relationship between goal self-efficacy and cardiovascular reactivity.