Effects of Chronic Stress on Health and Immunity

The Psychological Effects of Chronic Stress on Health and Immunity: How does chronic stress, including psychosocial stressors such as job strain, caregiving responsibilities, and discrimination, impact individuals’ physical health, immune function, and susceptibility to illness? Analyze research on the stress-response system, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis, in mediating the effects of stress on immune-inflammatory processes. Discuss stress-management interventions, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), relaxation techniques, and social support networks, in promoting resilience and immune system functioning.