A longitudinal study of the impact of chronic psychological stress on health-related quality of life and clinical biomarkers: protocol for the Australian Healthy Aging of Women Study

Abstract

BackgroundDespite advancements in our understanding of the importance of stress reduction in achieving good health, we still only have limited insight into the impact of stress on cellular function. Recent studies have suggested that exposure to prolonged psychological stress may alter an individual’s physiological responses, and contribute to morbidity and mortality. This paper presents an overview of the study protocol we are using to examine the impact of life stressors on lifestyle factors, health-related quality of life and novel and established biomarkers of stress in midlife and older Australian women.The primary aim of this study is to explore the links between chronic psychological stress on both subjective and objective health markers in midlife and older Australian women. The study examines the extent to which exposure frightening, upsetting or stressful events such as natural disasters, illness or death of a relative, miscarriage and relationship conflict is correlated with a variety of objective and subjective health markers.Methods/DesignThis study is embedded within the longitudinal Healthy Aging of Women’s study which has collected data from midlife and older Australian women at 5 yearly intervals since 2001, and uses the Allostastic model of women’s health by Groër and colleagues in 2010. The current study expands the focus of the HOW study and will assess the impact of life stressors on quality of life and clinical biomarkers in midlife and older Australian women to explain the impact of chronic psychological stress in women.DiscussionThe proposed study hypothesizes that women are at increased risk of exposure to multiple or repeated stressors, some being unique to women, and the frequency and chronicity of stressors increases women’s risk of adverse health outcomes. This study aims to further our understanding of the relationships between stressful life experiences, perceived quality of life, stress biomarkers, chronic illness, and health status in women.

Rat Strain and Housing Conditions Alter Oxidative Stress and Hormone Responses to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia

“…The results may not be immediately observable under non-stressful conditions, but manifest with the addition of a psychological or physiological stressor. A similar phenomenon is observed in clinical populations who experience chronic life stressors or illness and are subsequently exposed to an additional injury or infection ( Rao, 2009 ; Seib et al, 2014 ; Duric et al, 2016 ; Jacob et al, 2018 ). They often succumb more rapidly and have lingering health concerns compared to individuals with less stress-response activation.…”

Factors Influencing the Successful Aging of Iranian Old Adult Women

“…Finally, we found that elderly women’s lifestyle was a determining factor affecting their health and SA. Previous studies also supported the strong effects of lifestyle habits on elderly people’s mortality rate, health maintenance and promotion, quality of life, and the risk of developing diseases and physical disabilities ( 32 , 33 ).…”

How different stressors affect quality of life: An application of multilevel latent class analysis on a large sample of industrial employees

“…The possible mechanism that underlies the relationship between stressful life events and physical QoL Potential mediators, including elevated levels of cortisol and neurotoxicity m i g h t underlie the impact o f stressful life events on physical and mental health (20). Long-term stress can lead to dysregulation of the allostatic system by altering physiological processes within the body, and thus contribute to health morbidities (24,46). Another pathway for explaining the stress effects on health and finally QoL, is directed through behavioral changes such as increased smoking, decreased exercise and sleep duration and quality (25,49).…”

“…Stressful life events through HPA axis can affect the function of neuroendocrine and immune systems, physical and psychological well-being (21)(22)(23). Long-term stress by changing many physiological systems, such as metabolic and inflammatory pathways and immunological defense systems in the body leads to functions and cell senescence impairment (24).…”