Modulatory Effects of Defense and Coping on Stress-Induced Changes in Endocrine and Immune Parameters.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Modulatory Effects of Defense and Coping on Stress-Induced Changes in Endocrine and Immune Parameters.
Authors:	Olff, M., Brosschot, J.F., Godaert, G., Benschop, R.J., Ballieux, R.E., Heijnen, C.J., de Smet, M.B.M., Ursin, H.
Source:	International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 1995, Vol. 2 Issue 2, p85. 19p.
Subjects:	Psychological adaptation, Psychological stress, Immunology, Hormones
Abstract:	We examined whether habitual defense and coping affect the response of hormones (ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, endorphins, and noradrenaline) and immune parameters (numbers of T cells, B cells, natural killer [NK] cells, and proliferative responses to mitogens or antigens) to an acute laboratory stressor (i.e., solving a 3-dimensional puzzle and explaining it to a confederate) in 86 male high school teachers. defense and coping were assessed by Kragh's tachistoscopic Defense mechanism Test (a measure of perceptual defense) and by 4 questionnaire-based coping styles assessing instrumental mastery-oriented coping, emotion-focused coping, cognitive defense, and defensive hostility. The laboratory stressor per se caused a relative increase in immunological (in particular NK cells) and endocrine (ortisol, prolactin) parameters. Defense and coping, however, significantly codetermined the response to the stressor. In particular, instrumental mastery-oriented coping and perceptual defense were related to stress-induced changes in numbers of B cells and in the pituitary adrenal hormones. The results indicate that the impact of a mild psychological stressor on the immune and endocrine system depends to a considerable extent on the specific ways people deal with stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	We examined whether habitual defense and coping affect the response of hormones (ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, endorphins, and noradrenaline) and immune parameters (numbers of T cells, B cells, natural killer [NK] cells, and proliferative responses to mitogens or antigens) to an acute laboratory stressor (i.e., solving a 3-dimensional puzzle and explaining it to a confederate) in 86 male high school teachers. defense and coping were assessed by Kragh's tachistoscopic Defense mechanism Test (a measure of perceptual defense) and by 4 questionnaire-based coping styles assessing instrumental mastery-oriented coping, emotion-focused coping, cognitive defense, and defensive hostility. The laboratory stressor per se caused a relative increase in immunological (in particular NK cells) and endocrine (ortisol, prolactin) parameters. Defense and coping, however, significantly codetermined the response to the stressor. In particular, instrumental mastery-oriented coping and perceptual defense were related to stress-induced changes in numbers of B cells and in the pituitary adrenal hormones. The results indicate that the impact of a mild psychological stressor on the immune and endocrine system depends to a considerable extent on the specific ways people deal with stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10705503
DOI:	10.1207/s15327558ijbm0202_1