Page 184 - Biobehavioral Resilence to Stress

Resilience and Survival in Extreme Environments 161

Nucleus accumbens

Prefrontal cortex
Galanin
Corticotropin-
Norepinephrine
Dopamine releasing
hormone
Hypothalamus
Amygdala
Neuropeptide Y
Galanin

Cortisol Corticotropin-
releasing
Cortisol Hippocampus hormone

Adrenal gland Ventral
tegmental Locus coeruleus
area
Galanin
Neuropeptide Y
Figure 7.4 Brain connections mediating external stressors and some of the cen-
tral neuroendocrine pathways currently understood to be involved in adverse
stress outcomes. (Adapted from Charney, D.S., Am. J. Psychiat., 161, 195–216,
2004. With permission.)

Stress-related effects on immune function and susceptibility to illness

is infl uenced in part by the intensity of stress. Cohen et al. (1991) combined
three inventories to measure psychological stress based on recent life experi-
ences (e.g., divorce, new home) in a sample of 394 men and women. Partici-
pants were also assessed based on the degree to which they perceived such
life experiences as uncontrollable or unpredictable, and the degree to which
they experienced negative emotions (e.g., distressed, sad, upset). Th e study
volunteers were then administered nasal drops, which contained respiratory
viruses. Cohen et al. found that higher scores on the composite stress index
were related in dose-dependent fashion to more respiratory infections and
clinical colds.
Reed, Kemeny, Taylor, and Visscher (1999) studied a group of HIV- positive
men to assess their expectations concerning disease progression. Specifi cally,
participants were assessed for their perceptions about infection and disease
progression, and the degree to which they felt control over progression of
the disease. Additionally, it was noted whether each man had recently expe-
rienced the death of a close friend or partner. Results showed an interaction
between the recent death of a close friend or partner and high negative scores
of disease expectancies. Follow-up study demonstrated that over the course
of 2.5 and 3.5 years, previously asymptomatic individuals with high negative

12/15/2007 3:33:09 PM
CRC_71777_Ch007.indd 161 12/15/2007 3:33:09 PM
CRC_71777_Ch007.indd 161