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

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

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

4. Stress & Immune Function OnsetModerately prolongedChronic Duration of Stressor Immune Functioning 100% Merson (2001) www.psychlotron.org.uk

5. Stress & Immune Function Cohen & Herbert (1996) Stress associated with increased susceptibility to cold, flu, herpes virus, chickenpox 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 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 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 Personality & coping style Social support Social support Lifestyle Lifestyle Compared to impact of e.g. age, genes, nutrition stress is relatively unimportant www.psychlotron.org.uk