u/FineConstruction2924

Hypothesis 1: Problem-focused news will elicit greater physiological arousal during exposure, as indicated by a higher task SCL after controlling for baseline SCL, than solution-focused news.

Baseline SCL was strongly positively correlated with task SCL, r(64) = .96, p < .001, justifying its inclusion as a covariate. Baseline SCL did not differ significantly between conditions, t(64) = -1.84, p = .071, confirming independence of the covariate from condition. Homogeneity of regression slopes was supported by a non-significant condition × baseline interaction, F(1, 62) = 1.50, p = .226. Residuals were normally distributed (Shapiro-Wilk W = 0.98, p = .572) and variances were homogeneous (Levene's F = 0.18, p = .671).

An ANCOVA revealed no significant effect of condition on task SCL after covarying baseline SCL, F(1, 62) = 1.91, p = .172, η²p = .03. H1 was not supported.

Table 1

ANCOVA Results for Task SCL by Condition, Covarying Baseline SCL

Source	SS	df	MS	F	p	η²p
Condition	0.81	1	0.81	1.91	.172	.03
Baseline SCL	293.12	1	293.12	689.51	<.001	.92
Condition × Baseline SCL	0.64	1	0.64	1.50	.226	.02
Residuals	26.36	62	0.43

Note. SS = sum of squares; MS = mean square; η²p = partial eta squared. N = 66 (problem-focused: n = 33, solution-focused: n = 33).

Table 2

Unadjusted and Adjusted Means for Task SCL by Condition

Condition	Unadjusted M	Adjusted M	SE	95% CI
Problem-focused	2.43	2.95	0.12	[2.71, 3.18]
Solution-focused	3.52	3.05	0.12	[2.82, 3.28]

Note. Adjusted means control for baseline SCL. SCL = skin conductance level in μS.