Outline and Evaluate Research into the Immune System and Stress Related Illness (12 marks)

Janet-Kiecolt Glaser et al (1984) investigated whether the stress of important exams had an effect on immune system functioning. She used a natural experiment using a repeated measures design and 75 volunteering medical students. She took their blad samples one month before their final examination (low stress condition) and during the exams (high stress condition). Assessment of immune system functioning was taken by measuring the T Cell Activity in the blood samples and participants also completed questionnaires related to negative life events and feelings of loneliness. The results suggest that high stress T cell activity was significantly reduced in campirson with the low stress condition. T Cell activity was most reduced in participants who also reported high levels of negative life events and isolation. Research shows stress is associated with reduced immune function and the effects…