title: Academic stress, power motivation, and decrease in secretion rate of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A.
abstract: The effect of academic stress on immune function, as measured by the rate of secretion of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA), was studied prospectively in 64 first-year dental school students. Perceived stress and s-IgA secretion rate were measured five times--during an initial low-stress period, three high-stress periods coinciding with major examinations, and a final low-stress period. The s-IgA secretion rate was significantly lower in high-stress than low-stress periods for the whole group. In addition, personality characteristics differentiated patterns of s-IgA secretion rates. Students characterised by a great need to establish and maintain warm personal relationships secreted more s-IgA at each point than did all other subjects. The s-IgA secretion rates of those with a high inhibited need for power continued to decline through the final low-stress period rather than recovering as in all other subjects.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010551:Personality; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory