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Academic stress in an undergraduate population is associated with increased likelihood of getting a cold
Author(s) -
HerrlingerGarcia Kelli A,
Voehl Amanda K,
Padgett Emily M,
Christman Mary C,
LangkampHenken Bobbi
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.907.4
Subject(s) - medicine , population , perceived stress scale , common cold , cold stress , psychological intervention , stress (linguistics) , prospective cohort study , psychological stress , psychology , demography , gerontology , clinical psychology , immunology , biology , psychiatry , linguistics , philosophy , biochemistry , environmental health , sociology , gene
The academic stress model (i.e., psychological stress associated with dysregulated immune function) typically uses medical students who are taking the same exams. This study determined whether an undergraduate population, which would provide a larger pool of subjects, could be used in this model. Healthy full‐time students (n=176, aged 18 to 29 yr) were recruited from a large undergraduate population (n=32,470). Students recorded their level of stress (0=no stress to 10=extremely stressed) and any cold symptoms daily for 8 wk (i.e., 4 wk before and 4 wk after fall 2007 final exams). Students completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at wk 0, ~wk 4 (post‐exams) and wk 8. The PSS was similar at baseline (22.6 + 0.5) and post‐exams (23.0 + 0.5) but decreased (P < 0.001) at wk 8 after a 4‐wk break from classes (20.8 + 0.5). This suggests that perceived stress was elevated in the month before and during exams then reduced in the month following exams. The probability of getting a cold increased as average daily stress score increased (P < 0.05). There were a total of 94 colds, defined as > 2 cold symptoms for > 2 days, and 71 students had at least one cold. Thus, fall‐term final exams in undergraduate students provide a model of psychological stress that is associated with the increased likelihood of getting a cold. This model could be used to investigate the effect of nutritional interventions on maintenance of health. Sponsor: Biothera