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Stress and immunity in a longitudinal study of breast cancer patients

Thornton, Lisa Marie

Abstract Details

2005, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Previous research shows psychological stressors to correspond to decreased functioning of NK and T lymphocyte, immune cells which may affect cancer progression. Using data from a longitudinal study of breast cancer patients, we tested whether individual differences in level and change in the psychological stress response correspond to individual differences in level and change in NK and T lymphocyte function. Latent curve analyses suggested an inverse relationship between levels of T lymphocyte blastogenesis and levels of perceived stress and distress. This finding may indicate that stress and distress are related to T lymphocyte blastogenesis through consistent individual differences. Results also suggested an inverse relationship between change in perceived stress and change in NK lymphocyte function over the 18-month follow-up period. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that stressors affect immune function through psychological reactions to stress.
Barbara Andersen (Advisor)
167 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Thornton, L. M. (2005). Stress and immunity in a longitudinal study of breast cancer patients [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117578022

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Thornton, Lisa. Stress and immunity in a longitudinal study of breast cancer patients. 2005. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117578022.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Thornton, Lisa. "Stress and immunity in a longitudinal study of breast cancer patients." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1117578022

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)