Immune System

Question 0

What were the three stressors that segerstom and miller (2004) proposed?

Answer 0

Acute time limited stressor: 5-100 minutes tested under lab conditions

Brief naturalistic stressor: limited time everyday tested on exams

Chronic stressors: long periods tested on careers, unemployed, long term ill

Question 1

What is the immune system?

Answer 1

A complex network of components that provide the body’s defence system against infection

Question 2

What is naturalistic immunity?

Answer 2

The body’s first line of defence works within minutes or hours
Made up of white blood cells to attack and ingest pathogens

Question 3

What is specific immunity?

Answer 3

Within days it recognises invading pathogens and produces specific antibodies

Question 4

What is the specific immunity split into?

Answer 4

Cellular: works within cell killer/helpher T cells

Humoral: works outside cell B cells produce anti-bodies

Question 5

What can stress alter in the immune system?

Answer 5

From cellular to humoral

Suppression of immunity overall

Question 6

What was Cohen et al. 1993 study?

Answer 6

Life stress on the common cold
394 participants given questionnaires on: previous year, negative emotions and rated stress
3 scores into a stress index

Question 7

What were the findings of Cohen et al 1993 study?

Answer 7

82% became infected with the cold

It had a correlation with the stress

Question 8

Methological issues of Cohen et al 1993 study?

Answer 8

1- No measure of immune functioning

2- Measured health outcomes (clinical codes)

3- No cause and effect (no manipulation of the IV)

4- Didn’t know which elements are most important

Question 9

What study supports Cohen et al 1993 study?

Answer 9

Evans and edgerton 1991

Found cold developed of preceding days of stress

Question 10

What are the ethical issues of Cohen et al 1993 study?

Answer 10

1- Good health previously

2- Monitored constantly

3- Consistent debriefing

4- Science over distress

Question 11

What Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1984 study?

Answer 11

75 medical student
NK cells tested one month before exams and during
Given a questionnaire on negative life events

Question 12

What were the findings of Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1984 study?

Answer 12

NK cell mostly reduced in those with high life events

Brief naturalist immunity you are vulnerable to colds and it reduces immune functioning

Question 13

Methological issues of Kiecolt-Glaser 1984 study?

Answer 13

1- No illness outcome measured

2- No cause and effect

3- Non representative: generalised with caution

Question 14

What studies supported Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1984?

Answer 14

Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1995: small wounds on Alzheimer’s careers too longer to heal

Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1991: also proved that careers had reduced immune functioning

Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1991: Divorce proceedings also had a negative effect on immunity

Malarkey et al 1994: Short term mayoral conflict reduced immunity in women more

Question 15

What were the ethical issues with Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1984 and 1995?

Answer 15

1- Natural

2- Consent debrief

3- Medical supervision essential

4- Small wounds: pain distress

5- Ethic committee have to approve

6- Scientific gain more than distress

Question 16

What was segerstom and miller 2004 meta-analysis?

Answer 16

293 studies
Acute limited stressor: up regulation of natural immunity

Brief naturalist stressor: no overall effects despite Kiecolt-Glaser et al study, evidence from a shift from cellular to Humoral

Chronic stressor: suppression effects consistent across age and gender

Non Specific life events: used SRRS no change however those over 55 reduction in NK cells in contrast to the life events

Question 17

What was Evans et al 1994 study?

Answer 17

• students to give brief talks
• measured the levels of an antibody (sigA) that coats the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and lungs.
• Following the talk the students had increased levels of this antibody
• suggesting increased immunity.

Question 18

What was the conclusion overall of immunity?

Answer 18

Chronic stress means global suppression takes place
Shift in balance
No key difference in immunity with gender
Although malarkey et al 1994 and
Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1998 women reduced more than men in marital conflict