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From health locus of control to immune control: internal locus of control has a buffering effect on natural killer
1Psychosomatic Medicine Unit, Cliniques Universitaires de Mont-Godinne, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Depression is linked to lower natural killer cell activity (NKCA). However, a greater sense of personal control may protect against this immune decline in patients with major depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Decreased immune function is observed in depression.
- Immune alterations vary among depressed individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the interaction between perceived control and immune function in major depression.
- Examine if subjective control moderates immunological changes.
Main Methods:
- Assessed immune function (T/B lymphocytes, proliferation, NKCA) in 34 major depressives and 18 controls.
- Measured perceived control and subjective control levels.
Main Results:
- No difference in lymphocyte proliferation between groups.
- Significantly lower natural killer cell activity (NKCA) in depressed patients.
- Lower NKCA correlated with less perceived control among depressed subjects.
Conclusions:
- Internal locus of control may buffer against cellular immunity decrease in depression.
- Perceived control is a significant factor in immune variations in depression.
- Future research should consider coping mechanisms and perceived control.