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Self-discrepancy and natural killer cell activity: immunological consequences of negative self-evaluation
T J Strauman1, A M Lemieux, C L Coe
1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Negative self-evaluation, particularly discrepancies between actual and ideal selves, can impair natural killer (NK) cell activity. This study demonstrates a link between psychological states and immune function.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Self-discrepancy theory posits that discrepancies between actual, ideal, and ought selves influence psychological states.
- Previous research suggests psychological stress can impact immune function, but direct experimental evidence linking self-evaluation to specific immune changes is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if self-discrepancy theory can explain alterations in natural killer (NK) cell activity following exposure to self-referential stimuli.
- To experimentally demonstrate the impact of negative self-evaluation on immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Participants (anxious, dysphoric, and control groups) were exposed to self-guides (own and other's) after pretesting.
- Blood samples were analyzed for NK cell cytotoxicity and cortisol levels.
- Content analysis assessed psychological states induced by self-discrepancies.
Main Results:
- Dysphoric individuals showed the largest actual:ideal discrepancy; anxious individuals showed the largest actual:ought discrepancy.
- Exposure to self-referential stimuli reduced NK cell activity in both distressed groups, especially anxious individuals.
- Cortisol levels increased in anxious individuals following discrepancy priming.
- Control participants showed a trend towards increased NK activity.
Conclusions:
- Negative self-evaluation, specifically actual:ideal and actual:ought discrepancies, can alter immune responses, including NK cell activity.
- This study provides the first experimental evidence that negative self-evaluation directly impacts immune function.
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