Self-discrepancy and natural killer cell activity: immunological consequences of negative self-evaluation.
The study tested whether self-discrepancy theory could account for changes in natural killer (NK) cell activity after exposure to self-referential stimuli. Anxious, dysphoric, and control Ss were pretested and 1 month later covertly exposed to their own self-guides as well as those of another S. Blood samples were drawn for analysis of NK cytotoxicity and cortisol. The dysphoric Ss manifested the greatest actual:ideal discrepancy, whereas the anxious Ss manifested the greatest actual:ought discrepancy. Content analysis of written responses showed that activating discrepancies induced specific negative states; priming discrepancies also increased cortisol for the anxious Ss. NK activity was lower after self-referential priming for both distressed groups, particularly the anxious Ss. The control Ss showed a trend toward increased NK activity after self-referential priming. The study represents the 1st experimental demonstration that negative self-evaluation can alter immune responses.
Strauman
T J
TJ
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706.
Lemieux
A M
AM
Coe
C L
CL
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D003863:Depression / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D012649:Self Concept