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Expanding stress theory: prolonged activation and perseverative cognition
Jos F Brosschot1, Suzanne Pieper, Julian F Thayer
1Division of Clinical and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Leiden University, 2300 RB Leiden, The Netherlands. brosschot@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|June 9, 2005
Summary
Perseverative cognition, like worry and rumination, may sustain stress responses and link stress to disease. Current evidence for prolonged physiological activation causing disease remains insufficient.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Stress-disease link theories often include prolonged physiological activation.
- Existing models may overlook the cognitive mechanisms sustaining stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cognitive processes in sustaining stress responses.
- To evaluate the evidence for perseverative cognition as a mediator between stressors and somatic disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on stress, cognition, and physiological activation.
- Analysis of studies examining worry, rumination, and anticipatory stress.
- Assessment of evidence linking prolonged activation to disease outcomes.
Main Results:
- Perseverative cognition (worry, rumination) is associated with physiological activation (cardiovascular, endocrinological, immunological).
- Evidence supporting prolonged activation as a direct cause of disease is limited and methodologically weak.
- Studies suggest anticipatory responses and slow stress recovery may predict disease.
Conclusions:
- Perseverative cognition is a plausible mediator of stress effects on somatic disease.
- More rigorous research is needed to validate the role of sustained physiological activation in disease.
- The assumption that prolonged activation leads to disease requires further empirical support.