2.4. Data analysis
In order to account for the nested structure in the data, analyses are based on hierarchical linear modeling (HLM).
Subjective stress, sCort, sAA, and items on music listening (music episode (yes/no), perceived valence, perceived arousal, reasons for music listening) were considered level-1 variables. In analyses concerning the relationship between music episode and sCort, time of day has been added as predictor (UC = −0.45, t(363) = −16.57, p ≤ 0.001).