Reading: Psychological Vulnerability to Upper Respiratory Infectious Illness: Implications for Susceptibility to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - Cohen, 2021

Question 1

Basic Premise of Experiment

Answer 1

• Assessed behavioural, social and psychological factors in healthy adults
• Adults then purposely exposed to cold or influenza virus.
• Monitored in quarantine for 5 to 6 days for onset of respiratory illness.
• They call it a unique viral-challenge design.

Question 2

Found that … what were risk factors?

Answer 2

• Smoking, ingesting an inadequate level of vitamin C, and chronic psychological stress were associated with greater risk of respiratory illness after virus exposure.

Question 3

Found that … what are the protective factors?

Answer 3

• Social integration, social support, physical activity, adequate and efficient sleep, and moderate alcohol intake are all protective i.e. lower risk of developing respiratory illness after exposure.

Question 4

Implications for study

Answer 4

• Suggest that the same risks and protective factors could be present for COVID as for the common cold -> associations found were reliable among multiple respiratory viruses.
• Could determine who is most at risk of developing COVID once exposed (note that things like social distancing, washing hands, cleaning surfaces, wearing masks all work to limit exposure in the first place).

Question 5

What were the three factors studied as potential predictors of respiratory illness susceptibility?

Answer 5

-Risky behaviours (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption engaging in insufficient physical activity, not eating enough sleep, eating poorly)

• Psychological stress (when an individual perceives that environmental demands tax or exceed his or her adaptive capacity).
• Social relationships (the nature + quality of our relationships. Encompasses social integration and social support).

Question 6

Participants

Answer 6

• 18-55 years old
• Needed to be in good general health as deemed by medical history, physical examination, clinical profiles, not taking an medications, cannot be pregnant, have had upper respiratory illness during 30 days prior to exposure to study virus, or report quarantine with any symptoms.

*note = somewhat of a limitation given that cases of death/ illness from COVID-19 are concentrated among those who are older and who have underlying health issues - don’t know if results who generalize to the most seriously ill COVID-19 patients

• Were reimbursed

Question 7

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : smoking

Answer 7

greater risk

Question 8

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : alcohol consumption

Answer 8

Moderate drinking incurs less risk than no drinking. Heavy drinking probs not good.

Question 9

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : exercise

Answer 9

lack of minimum exercise (2 days/ weeks) puts at greater risk

Question 10

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : Vitamin C

Answer 10

Less than daily requirement (85 g) puts at greater risk

Question 11

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness :Sleep

Answer 11

-Short length (fewer than 6-7 hrs a night puts at greater risk)

-Lower sleep efficiency puts at greater risk

Question 12

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : psychological stress -> aggregate measure

Answer 12

increased stress associated with increased risk

Question 13

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : psychological stress -> perceived stress

Answer 13

increased stress associated with increased risk

Question 14

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : psychological stress -> severe stressful event

Answer 14

the longer the event lasts, the greater the risk

prolonged interpersonal and economic events have the most effect

Question 15

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : psychological stress -> interpersonal (social integration)

Answer 15

The more social roles, the lesser the risk

Question 16

Psychosocial factor and its association with upper respiratory illness : psychological stress -> interpersonal (social support)

Answer 16

The greater the perceived support, the lesser the risk for high-stressed but not for low-stressed persons (stress buffering)