Lutgendorf et al., 1994: Discussing stressful topics weekly increased immune function among college students
Reference:
Lutgendorf, S. K., Antoni, M. H., Kumar, M., & Schneiderman, N. (1994). Changes in cognitive coping strategies predict EBV-antibody titre change following a stressor disclosure induction. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38(1), 63-78.
Download PDFSummary:
Asking college undergraduates to discuss a stressful or traumatic topic in three weekly 20-minute individual sessions did not affect immune function (Epstein-Barr virus antibody titers) one week later relative to a control condition. However, participants who were more involved in the disclosure process, avoided less, and who disclosed older and more negative events showed greater immune function.
Psychological Process:
What Desired Meaning is At Stake?
What is the Person Trying to Understand?
Selves (My Own and Others')Approach to Desired Meaning
What about it?
Changing beliefs about emotions, states, and the valence of the self-conceptHow?
Psychological Question Addressed
Are negative past emotions, states, and experiences ongoing and undermining?Are negative past emotions, states, and experiences ongoing and undermining?Psychological Question Addressed
Are negative past emotions, states, and experiences ongoing and undermining?Psychological Process 2:
Psychological Process 3:
Social Area:
Health
Intervention Technique:
Active reflection, on negative experiences