Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
11:18
Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Worry affects the immune response to phobic fear
S C Segerstrom1, D A Glover, M G Craske
1Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0044, USA.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|June 22, 1999
Summary
High trait worry disrupts natural killer cell response to phobic fear, unlike normal worry levels. Autonomic and immune system interactions are key in fear responses and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Worry is linked to autonomic dysregulation, potentially impacting immune function.
- Understanding the interplay between cognitive states, autonomic responses, and immunity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the autonomic and immune responses to phobic stimuli in individuals with high versus normal trait worry.
- To assess the recovery patterns of these responses.
Main Methods:
- Participants with high and normal trait worry levels were exposed to a phobic stimulus.
- Autonomic (heart rate, skin conductance) and immune (natural killer cells) responses were measured.
- A control group without stimulus exposure was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Both worry groups exhibited increased heart rate and skin conductance when exposed to phobic fear.
- Only the normal worry group showed a concurrent increase in peripheral natural killer cells.
- Phobic fear appeared to disrupt the normal circadian rhythm of natural killer cells, particularly in the high worry group.
Conclusions:
- Trait worry influences the immune system's response to acute stressors.
- Adrenergic and HPA axis mechanisms may mediate differential natural killer cell responses in high versus normal worry individuals.
- These findings highlight the complex relationship between psychological states and immune regulation during fear responses.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:36Humoral Immune Responses
Overview
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:09Preparedness and Phobias
Human fear responses to certain stimuli, such as darkness, heights, deep water, and blood, can often arise despite the absence of direct negative experiences. This phenomenon is rooted in evolutionary psychology, which posits that humans have developed a predisposition to fear stimuli that historically posed significant survival threats. This predisposition, known as preparedness, suggests that early humans who developed a fear of potentially dangerous entities, such as venomous snakes and...
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...