RELATIONSHIP OF WORRY TO IMMUNE SEQUELAE OF THE NORTHRIDGE EARTHQUAKE

Worry is a cognitive activity in which potential problems are anticipa ted and enumerated in an attempt to control the future, Worry has been associated with dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, which may extend to the immune system. The relationship between trait worry and immune parameters was investigated at three follow-up points after the Northridge earthquake in a sample of 47 hospital employees. Parti cipants with scores above the median on a trait worry measure had fewe r natural killer cells than participants with worry scores below the m edian and controls. This effect was not mediated by intrusive thoughts , avoidance, anxious mood, or health behavior: These results suggest t hat worry may have a detrimental effect on the regulation of natural k iller cells during stress. This effect may be due to differences iii a utonomic responsiveness associated with worry.