Psychosocial events and subsequent illness--a review

The public readily accepts the relationship between psychosocial events and illness and acknowledges that stress is important in the acquisition of disease. However, scientific documentation of these relationships has not been convincing and many clinicians remain skeptical. In this review we survey selected studies from socioepidemiologic, psychologic and physiologic research, chosen for their methodologic rigor, that help clarify the relationship between psychosocial events and illness. We conclude (1) though difficult to prove, available data support a positive relationship between psychosocial events and illness, and (2) psychologic well-being is important for good physical health.