SELF-REPORTED STRESSORS, SYMPTOM COMPLAINTS AND PSYCHOBIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING .2. PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINE VARIABLES

The present study examined resting endocrinological functioning and en docrine responsivity to new challenges as a function of self-reported stress load and symptomatology. Following a baseline period, four grou ps of male subjects (low-load/low-symptoms; low-load/high-symptoms; hi gh-load/low-symptoms; high-load/high-symptoms) were exposed to stressf ul films, followed by a rest period. Blood samples were drawn after ea ch film and after the rest condition, and urinary samples were collect ed during two nights preceding the experimental session. Neuroendocrin e variables measured in plasma included adrenaline, noradrenaline, ACT H, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, and testosterone. The urinary samples were assayed for noradrenaline and adrenaline (in relation to creatinin). High-symptom subjects had significantly higher plasma leve ls of noradrenaline and overnight urinary adrenaline levels, whereas t heir cortisol levels tended to be lower as compared to the low-symptom group. The plasma noradrenaline/cortisol ratio was higher among the h igh-symptom subjects. However, upon controlling for neuroticism and li fe style factors (smoking and alcohol consumption), all but the effect s on cortisol failed to meet significance criteria. Higher stress load was associated with higher plasma adrenaline responses during the lab oratory session, irrespective of neuroticism or life-style measures. T hese results therefore suggest that in addition to measuring exposure to real-life stressors, it is also necessary to measure outcomes, such as symptoms, and to be aware of the effects of neuroticism and life-s tyle when attempting to understand which specific psychosocial factors affect psychoendocrinological functioning.