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Stress and illness

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter first assesses whether stress causes illness and

then explores a chronic and acute model of the mechanisms

behind this association. The chapter next explores the

relationship between stress and illness in terms of

behavioural and physiological pathways. It then outlines the

approach of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and explores the

impact of psychological factors such as mood, beliefs,

emotional expression and stress on immunity. Finally, it

highlights the role of coping, social support, personality and

control as moderators of the stress–illness link.

This chapter covers:

➧ Does stress cause illness?

➧ How does stress cause illness?

➧ Stress and changes in behaviour

➧ Stress and changes in physiology

➧ Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

➧ Which factors moderate the stress/illness link?

➧ The role of coping, social support, personality and control

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