Neuroticism and Antibody Responses in Military Recruits.
Abstract
The hypothesis that neurotic individuals produce lower levels of antibodies under stress than emotionally-stable individuals was tested by measuring neutralizing antibody responses to inoculations for adenoviruses 4 and 7 in military recruits (n = 24) during basic training. Among recruits with prior exposure to the viruses, neurotic individuals had significantly lower levels of antibody to both viruses two days after inoculation, but not four weeks and eight weeks after inoculation. Among recruits with no prior exposure, there were no significant group differences. Neurotic recruits also reported more severe respiratory symptoms, but individual differences in antibody responses were weak predictors of differences in illness. Down-regulation of antibody formation apparently occurred in neurotic recruits, but the magnitude and duration of the effect were not sufficient to produce substantial health consequences in this setting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 12, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA302580
Entities
People
- Linda K. Hervig
- Paul Linard
- Ross R. Vickers
- Ruth Rappaport
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center