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Stress and Illness

Learn about the direct biological effects of stress on the immune system, including physical strain and hormonal changes. Explore the connection between stress, maladaptive coping behaviors, and immune functioning. Discover how stress can increase the risk of disease and illness, affecting factors like diet and activity levels.

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Stress and Illness

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  1. Increased Risk of Disease Stress and Illness Direct biological effects e.g. physical strain, hormonal changes Maladaptive coping behaviour e.g. smoking, drinking alcohol Stress Emotionally mediated effects on diet and activity level www.psychlotron.org.uk

  2. The Immune System • Structures and mechanisms that allow the body to resist and fight off infection by: • Bacteria • Viruses • Also helps prevent the formation and growth of tumours T-Lymphocyte Phagocyte www.psychlotron.org.uk

  3. Stress & Immune Function • Stress may adversely affect immune functioning through: • Diversion of energy resources away from maintaining immunity • Impact of stress hormones on immune processes • Maladaptive coping behaviours • Evidence that all three play a part www.psychlotron.org.uk

  4. Stress & Immune Function Immune Functioning 100% www.psychlotron.org.uk Onset Moderately prolonged Chronic Duration of Stressor Merson (2001)

  5. Stress & Immune Function • Cohen & Herbert (1996) • Stress associated with increased susceptibility to cold, flu, herpes virus, chickenpox • Bartrop et al (1977) • Immune suppression followed loss of intimate relationship through death or divorce • Levy et al (1989) • PPs who scored high on a scale of daily hassles had lower natural killer (immune) cell activity www.psychlotron.org.uk

  6. Stress & Immune Function • Evidence supports a weak link between stress and immune functioning • The relationship is mediated by: • Personality & coping style • Social support • Lifestyle • Compared to impact of e.g. age, genes, nutrition stress is relatively unimportant www.psychlotron.org.uk

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