Ravalier PhD Theis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

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influenza. Similarly evidence from a more recent review by Cohen, Miller
and Rabin (2001) discovered an association between psychological stress
and antibody responses to immunisation, and a meta-analysis by
Segerstrom and Miller (2004) of over 300 empirical articles found that
chronic stress has a negative effect on immune system responses. Early
viral-challenge studies by authors such as Broadbent et al. (1984) and
Totman et al. (1980) are those in which individuals are exposed to viruses
under controlled conditions having previously completed stress measures
have provided only weak support. Despite much of this research
providing only weak support, Cohen, Tyrell and Smith (1993) describe
these studies as having inherent methodological weaknesses.
However, more recent studies have shown there to be a stronger
association between stress and viral illness such as flu and the common
cold than had previously been found. For example, results from a
prospective study of 5,404 participants from the general population by
Smolderen et al. (2007) found that the personality traits of negative affect
and social inhibition, as well as perceived stress, all significantly predicted
influenza-like illness. Similarly, Takkouche et al. (2001) studied the effects
of stress on naturally acquired common cold via a 1-year prospective
cohort study. Again it was found that psychological stress was a
significant risk factor for the common cold.
1b.4.2) Cardiovascular Disease
The impact of psychosocial stress on cardiovascular disease has
interested researchers for some time. Animal studies have often shown a
strong correlation between chronic negative psychosocial environments
and the maturity of cardiovascular issues such as heart attack and stroke
(Kamarck et al., 2005). Epidemiological studies have also indicated that
psychosocial stress can cause Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). One way in
which this link may develop is by causing changes in risk factors to CHD
such as overeating, blood pressure, smoking, and substance and alcohol
misuse, as detailed earlier. In fact, evidence from the Whitehall II studies
demonstrated that chronic workplace stress is a risk factor for complaints