Changes in serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity during group psychotherapy.
This psychobiological study investigates married-coupled group psychotherapy from pre- and postsession serum dopamine dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) determinations, the Free Association Test (FAT), and a Postsession Questionnaire (PSQ).  Experimental manipulations permit controls for the assessment of DBH variations.  Group, gender, and individual linear regression analyses are interpreted by a stressor-destrssor typology.  DBH levels significantly increase during psychotherapy.  Increments are comparable with those from physical work.  Most variability in DBH is predicted from a small set of psychological variables.  Psychological stressors and destressors show psychobiochemical individuality.  Implications of psychological stressors for psychosomatic vulnerability are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005608:Free Association; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology
D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase