Stress, Coping, and Immune Function

摘要: Stress is a fundamental process, characterizing individuals' interactions with their environments and responses to challenge. Appraisals of threatening or harmful challenges motivate individuals take action either eliminate these stressors protect themselves from the stressor's negative impact. These appraisals coping efforts elicit series specific nonspecific cognitive, behavioral, physiological responses. responses, in turn, promote adaptation by mobilizing catabolic energies that support efforts. One response system has received considerable attention immune because its role detection elimination pathogenic agents apparent sensitivity stress hormones. Repeated protracted exposures appear suppress functioning may contribute increased vulnerability infection disease. Alterations other pathways provide mechanisms through which many stress-related changes occur. By decreasing aspects responding, reduction interventions are used facilitate have important implications for disease processes. Continued characterization beneficial as well effects will improve our ability identify modifiable risk factors (e.g., lifestyle, appraisal, coping, social resources) consequences adaptation. Keywords: coping; health; immunity; psychoneuroimmunology; stress; stress management