Avoidance coping and lymphocyte count

Stress is the key psychological activator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and therefore an important risk factor for diminished immunocompetence. The aim of the study was to assess the connection between the strategies of coping with stress and lymphocyte counts in soldiers. Coping strategies were evaluated in 61 Slovenian Army members using the Coping Responses Inventory. White blood cell count with detailed lymphocyte analysis by use of flow cytometry was assessed in 33 soldiers. Factor analysis identified two factors of coping, i.e., avoidance coping and approach coping. Statistically significant negative correlations were recorded between avoidance strategies and monocyte, lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte concentrations. Approach strategies, which are thought to be more adaptive, did not correlate with the immune system measures. These findings support the notion that each person's individual coping styles are reflected in their immune characteristics. We presume that avoidance coping might be an important mediating variable influencing the effects of stress on immune measures.