trident ant100 module 3 discussion latest 2017 november

Module 3 discussion

Stress and the Immune Response

Many studies have implicated the link between stress and impaired immune function. One such study attached below recruited 276 healthy volunteers to discuss their recent experience with stressful events. Following the interview, they were given nasal drops containing the cold virus (they were paid $800 to participate). The authors of the study hypothesized that people with high stress levels should be more likely to develop an illness compared to those under little stress. The same participants where then invited to come back later for examination and re-interview. Participants who reported experiencing chronic stressors for more than one month—especially those stressors involving work or relationships—were considerably more likely to have developed colds than the participants who reported experiencing no chronic stressors.

Cohen, S. et al. (1998). Types of Stressors That Increase Susceptibility to the Common Cold in Healthy Adults. Health Psychology, 17 (3), 214-223.

How might the finding in this article explain how people seem to become sick during stressful times in their lives (e.g, such as during final exam week)?

Now that you have some knowledge of the different research methods from your SLP assignment, what type of design do you think the authors used for their study? Do you think there were any weaknesses to their design that could have affected their results?

Review the Discussion portion of the article. The authors of this study claim health practices/behaviors (smoking, amount of exercise, diet, sleep quality) of the participants played a small role in explaining the relationship between stress and colds. Do you agree with the accuracy of their findings? Does current research support this finding? Why or why not?