Progress in Ambulatory Assessment: Computer-Assisted Psychological and Psychophysiological Methods in Monitoring and Field Studies

Ambulatory assessment - the acquisition of psychological and/or physiological data in a natural setting - is a field which, as this volume's title suggests, rapid progress is being made. With contributions from North America and Europe, the text explores in detail the use of computer-assisted methods in both research and applied settings. Innovative techniques and approaches are described, which go far beyond the simple use of portable computers for data collection: online analysis and feedback, real-time processing, electronic diaries, ambulatory psychological tests and physiological measurements, event-contingent applications and more are covered. In addition to describing techniques, the text also describes concrete applications (and presents some results) of a variety of methods in real-life occupational and clinical settings. Examples include patients with chronic pain, borderline personality disorder, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes or hot flashes in the clinical area; and aviation, air traffic control, occupational stress and heart rate or blood pressure in the occupational area.