PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND SECRETORY IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A

This review focuses on studies that have examined the relation between psychosocial factors and secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA). Several studies have examined the relation between s-IgA and stressful circums tances ranging from major life events to minor daily events. The findi ngs from these studies were often contradictory, since different exper imenters reported different stress-related changes in s-IgA. The effec ts of stress reduction interventions, such as relaxation and imagery, on s-IgA levels have also been examined. Although these studies indica te that various interventions are associated with increases in s-IgA l evels, methodological refinements are needed before more definitive co nclusions can be made. The possibility that the relation between stres s and s-IgA may be moderated by personality characteristics or mediate d by psychological distress was supported in some studies. The review concludes with suggestions for future research.