Marital Happiness is Key to Fighting off Flu
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered that bereavement is bad and marriage is good for the immune response to the annual flu jab.
The study looked into whether stressful life events and other related factors had an effect on the immune response to the flu vaccination, which gives a good indication of how well the body would fight off flu in real life.
The research team looked at the levels of antibodies in the blood, which are produced by the body to combat disease - a higher increase in antibody levels indicates higher immunity. The team found that those who reported that they had happy marriages had a much higher level of antibodies in the blood than those reporting lower marital satisfaction. Those that had suffered a bereavement in the year prior to vaccination had a poorer response than those who had not suffered bereavement.
More than 180 people aged over 65 from surgeries across Birmingham took part in the study, the first of its kind to study the impact of general psychological factors on immune response to the flu jab in older adults. Participants gave a blood sample prior to vaccination, then further samples at one month. They also completed questionnaires to gauge exposure to stressful life events including bereavement, and marital status and satisfaction.
Dr Anna Phillips from the University’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, who was lead investigator on the study, said: “We know that those aged over 65 are more at risk of the impact of flu, but this research shows that within that group, those that have been recently bereaved, or those that are single, divorced or widowed are more at risk that those who are in a happy marriage. It is especially important for these at risk groups to get their flu jabs.”
Although bereavement and marital status were shown to have an influence on how well the body responded to the jab, the number of general stressful life events individuals had suffered in the year prior to vaccination, was not related to the immune response. Also, the impact of bereavement and marriage on antibody levels emerged over and above the impact of other factors affecting the immune response such as age and the presence of chronic illness. In addition, immune responses were not related to other health factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, sleep, exercise or diet.
Anna continues: “We would like to take this research further, to see whether interventions such as bereavement counselling or marriage counselling can improve the immune response in at risk groups.”
The study looked into whether stressful life events and other related factors had an effect on the immune response to the flu vaccination, which gives a good indication of how well the body would fight off flu in real life.
The research team looked at the levels of antibodies in the blood, which are produced by the body to combat disease - a higher increase in antibody levels indicates higher immunity. The team found that those who reported that they had happy marriages had a much higher level of antibodies in the blood than those reporting lower marital satisfaction. Those that had suffered a bereavement in the year prior to vaccination had a poorer response than those who had not suffered bereavement.
More than 180 people aged over 65 from surgeries across Birmingham took part in the study, the first of its kind to study the impact of general psychological factors on immune response to the flu jab in older adults. Participants gave a blood sample prior to vaccination, then further samples at one month. They also completed questionnaires to gauge exposure to stressful life events including bereavement, and marital status and satisfaction.
Dr Anna Phillips from the University’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, who was lead investigator on the study, said: “We know that those aged over 65 are more at risk of the impact of flu, but this research shows that within that group, those that have been recently bereaved, or those that are single, divorced or widowed are more at risk that those who are in a happy marriage. It is especially important for these at risk groups to get their flu jabs.”
Although bereavement and marital status were shown to have an influence on how well the body responded to the jab, the number of general stressful life events individuals had suffered in the year prior to vaccination, was not related to the immune response. Also, the impact of bereavement and marriage on antibody levels emerged over and above the impact of other factors affecting the immune response such as age and the presence of chronic illness. In addition, immune responses were not related to other health factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, sleep, exercise or diet.
Anna continues: “We would like to take this research further, to see whether interventions such as bereavement counselling or marriage counselling can improve the immune response in at risk groups.”
posted by Joe DiAngelo at 5:59 AM PERMALINK
1 Comments:
Stress is indeed the major component of all illness. I see this all of the time. I had one client who got married over the summer. He started coming to see me for massage because his shoulders and neck were in such a "frozen state". He thought it was wedding stress. He had MRI's done and was taking part in every possible pain management modality - nothing worked and no doctor was able to make a confirmed diagnosis. I met his future wife and soon figured out exactly what this "pain in his neck" was. I didn't say anything of course. After the wedding he continued to come and see me for massage and as his shoulder and neck were "starting to feel better", he developed an ulcer and is now on all types of medication. The aches and pains he experiences keep shifting around. A bad marriage is worse than smoking 2 packs a day and eating McDonalds! Great health blog! Keep writing. Lizabeth Gottsegen, NYC Medical Massage
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