title: Trajectories of relationship stress and inflammatory processes in adolescence.
abstract: Researchers have identified cross-sectional links between interpersonal stress and inflammation. Little is known, however, about how these dynamics unfold over time, what underlying immune pathways might exist, or whether moderators such as race could alter the strength of the connection between interpersonal stress and inflammatory processes. We examined whether adolescent girls whose relationship trajectories were characterized by chronic stress would exhibit a proinflammatory phenotype marked by systemic inflammation, heightened cytokine responses to bacterial challenges, and resistance to the anti-inflammatory properties of cortisol. Significant Stress × Race interactions revealed that family stress trajectories predicted glucocorticoid sensitivity and peer stress trajectories predicted cytokine production for White but not Asian girls. Relationship stress trajectories were not associated with systemic inflammation, however. These findings suggest that particular subgroups of adolescent girls who face chronic and elevated stress in their close relationships may be at risk for disruptions to the immune system.
authors: Northwestern University.
authors: Katherine B
authors: KB
authors: Ehrlich
authors: Northwestern University.
authors: Gregory E
authors: GE
authors: Miller
authors: Brandeis University.
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Rohleder
authors: Northwestern University.
authors: Emma K
authors: EK
authors: Adam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001213:Asian; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010379:Peer Group; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D006854:Hydrocortisone