Stress - 2. The Role of Stress in Illness Flashcards
Two illnesses mentioned in the specification
Immunosuppression
Cardiovascular disease
Immunosuppression
Immune functioning is impaired and suppressed, meaning it isn’t functioning as it should
What is the immune system responsible for?
Fighting illness by targeting antigens (foreign toxins)
What happens to immune function when experiencing chronic stress?
Production of cortisol reduces immune function
What cells does the immune system contain?
Lymphocytes
Role of Lymphocytes
Recognise and destroy harmful viruses and bacteria that enters the body
Types of lymphocytes and their function
B cells: produce antibodies which are released into the fluid surrounding the body’s cells to destroy antigens
T cells: if the antigens get inside a cell, these destroy is be locking onto the infected cell and multiplying
Who carried out key research into immunosuppression in 1984?
Kiecolt-Glaser et al
Aim of Kiecolt-Glaser et al’s study into immunosuppression
To identify a correlation between stress-related illness and the immune system
Procedure of Kiecolt-Glaser et al’s study into immunosuppression
Blood samples of 75 1st year medical students taken
Blood samples taken 1 month before final exam and on the day of the final exam
On both occasions, participants were given questionnaires to assess psychiatric symptoms (mental illness), loneliness and life events
Results of Kiecolt-Glaser et al’s study into immunosuppression
Number of T cell activity declined between the two samples
Immune responses were especially weak in those students who reported feeling most lonely
Conclusion of Kiecolt-Glaser et al’s study into immunosuppression
Stress associated with a lowered immune response
There was a number of different sources of stress and factors that could altercate immune response
Positive evaluation of Kiecolt-Glaser et al’s study into immunosuppression (3)
Natural experiment (real students, real time and no manipulation of variables)
Naturally occurring stress studied instead of artificially induced stress
Large sample size with no gender bias
Negative evaluation of Kiecolt-Glaser et al’s study into immunosuppression (2)
All participants were volunteers so the results may lack external validity
The individuals could’ve given socially desirable feedback to the questionnaires
What does cardiovascular mean?
The heart and blood vessels
How can stress cause cardiovascular disorders?
The fight or flight response increases blood pressure as well as heart rate. This increase can damage the blood vessels as the blood is being pumped faster and so at a higher blood pressure through the blood vessels
How does cortisol link to cardiovascular disorders?
Stored glucose is needed for a long-term period of intensity
If your fight or flight response is being triggered, glucose energy isn’t enough so therefore cortisol is released.
Cortisol narrows the blood vessels and begins to build up
What does cortisol in the blood vessels cause?
Causes increased risk of heart attack as the blood becomes thicker. This potentially leads to a blood clot occurring in the coronary artery.
Does cortisol directly or indirectly contribute to cardiovascular disorders?
Indirectly
What factors other than cortisol may link to cardiovascular disorders?
Smoking
History of heart disease
High-cholesterol diet
Who conducted key research into cardiovascular disorders?
Williams et al
Aim of Williams et al’s key research into cardiovascular disorders
To see if anger was linked to heart disease
Sample size of Williams et al’s key research into cardiovascular disorders
13,000 people
Procedure of Williams et al’s key research into cardiovascular disorders
Questionnaire given to 13,000 people without a heart disease. The questionnaires contained a 10 question anger scale.
After 6 years the health status of the participants was checked
