MindBody Connection: Psychological Factors Affecting Physical Conditions

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Mind-Body ConnectionPsychological Factors
AffectingPhysical Conditions

• 03/21/05

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Psychosocial Factors in the Common Cold

• Experimental studies (randomized controlled
  trials) by Cohen et al.
• Rhinovirus (and saline placebo) nasal drops
  administered to healthy adults
• Factors that influence cold susceptibility
• Psychological stress, esp. chronic stress
• Diversity of social network (lower risk)
• Positive emotional style (lower risk)

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Models for Understanding Stress

• General Adaptation Model
• Life Change Model
• Transaction Model

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General Adaptation Model

• Primarily concerns the bodys physical and
  psychological reaction to biological stressors
• Stage 1 - Alarm Stage
• Stage 2 - Adaptation/Resistance Stage
• Stage 3 - Exhaustion Stage

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ALARM STAGE

• A call to arms of bodys defenses when it faces
  a biological assault
• Heart rate increases, temperature blood
  pressure decrease

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ADAPTATION/RESISTANCE STAGE

• Body mobilizes itself to defend, destroy, or
  coexist with the disease or injury (e.g., immune
  system begins to fight)
• Symptoms may disappear
• Over time, the immune system may weaken and the
  body may become susceptible to other illnesses

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EXHAUSTION STAGE

• Symptoms may reappear as the immune system
  becomes overwhelmed

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Life Change Model

• Any change in a persons life can cause stress
• Even positive changes can be stressful
• An accumulation of changes can act as a powerful
  stressor

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Transaction Model

• Stress arises from the transaction between a
  stressor and a persons interpretation of the
  stressor
• The impact of a stressor depends on an
  individuals thoughts and interpretations about
  the stressor, the emotions that are attached to
  the stressor, and the actions are taken in
  response to the stressor

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What are some factors that might account for
associations between stress and susceptibility to
illness or disease?
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Decrease immune system functioning

• Failure to detect pathogens that invade the body
• Failure to produce antibodies that attack
  pathogens
• Impairment of the effectiveness of white blood
  cells to kill foreign cells
• Impairment in ability of immune system cells to
  multiply

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Influence health-related behaviors

• Decreased sleep
• Poorer eating habits
• Greater alcohol consumption
• Decreased attention to self-care

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What are some factors that might mediate (i.e.,
increase or decrease) the effects of stress?
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Helplessness vs. Control

• Studies show that feelings of helplessness, or
  lack of control, are associated with compromises
  in immune functioning
• Nursing home study / noise study / rats and shock
  study

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Personality Characteristics

• Hardiness may be related to illness resistance
  openness to change, feelings of
  involvement/commitment, sense of control
• Self-efficacy leads to more active health-related
  activities when illness occurs
• Optimism and even illusory positive beliefs may
  lead to better health outcomes (e.g. life
  expectancy with AIDS, Taylor et al. 2000)

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Social Support

• Studies have shown consistent associations
  between high levels of social support and better
  health. There is also some evidence that social
  support may buffer the effects of stress.
• Emotional support - someone to talk to
• Instrumental support - practical help

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