Issue 1/2 Vol. 36 1994

Stress, control experience, acute hormonal and immune reactions

GOMEZ, V., ZIMMERMANN, G., FROEHLICH, W. D. and KNOP, J.

Results in Life-Event research pinpoint that hormonal and immune changes in persons differ with the amount of controllability and of experienced control in stressful situations. There are only a few studies on the relationship between control and immune functions (Brosschot, 1992; Weisse, 1991). Systematic investigations encompassing psychological, hormonal, and immune measures in a representative way are still missing (for review cf. Froehlich & Knop, 1992). There are, furthermore, investigations showing that the background of negative life-events eventually influences not only direction and strength of acute responses under stress, but also recovery from stress.

The aim of this experimental study was to assess differences in response patterns at hormonal and immune levels, as well as in subjective emotional states, when persons are confronted with mental load under conditions of evidenced control vs. non-control. Additionally, recovery and its relation to stressful life-events during the last six months are considered.

Keywords: stress, hormonal reactions, immune reaction

Short Title: Gomez, V. et al. (1994) PsyBeit 1-2:74

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