Psychological stress-factors and concentration of immunoglobulins and complement components in Norwegian nurses

Abstract

Abstract Psychological stress produces immunological changes in animals, and increasing evidence suggests that this may also be true for humans. In the present study of 34 nurses in a busy ward of a Norwegian hospital, significant relationships have been demonstrated between die plasma levels of immunoglobulins and complement components and work-related ‘stress’, anxiety, and cognitive defence strategies. The main components of die work-related stress experience were role-stress and nonparticipation in decision-making. The results indicate chat immunological parameters may perhaps be used as a psychological stress indicator, but the relationships are complex and can best be understood if individual coping and defence mechanisms are considered. Health symptoms were also examined, but these were not related to stress experience or immunological measures.