INFLUENCE OF LIFE STRESS ON IMMUNOLOGICAL REACTIVITY TO MILD PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS

This study investigated the effects of self-reported life stress and l ocus of control on reactivity of several immune parameters to a mild a nd short-lasting interpersonal stressor. Subjects were 86 male teacher s aged 24 to 55 years. Immune reactivity was defined as changes in num bers of monocytes, T-lymphocytes and subsets, HLA-DR(+) cells, and NK cells as well as changes in (in vitro) proliferative responses of peri pheral blood lymphocytes to the antigens PHA and PWM. Multiple regress ion analysis was used to study the interaction effects of life stress and locus of control by experimental condition on immune reactivity. L ife stress, but not locus of control, influences reactivity of the imm unological parameters to the stressor. In particular, high numbers of daily hassles were associated with stressor-induced decreases in numbe rs of T cells and NK cells in peripheral blood. On the other hand, num bers of HLA-DR(+) cells in high life stress scorers decreased only sli ghtly during the stressor, whereas they increased in the control condi tion. The findings suggest that accumulated life stress is related to reactivity of immunological parameters to subsequent experimental stre ss. Possible physiological explanations and implications of these effe cts are discussed.