From health locus of control to immune control: internal locus of control has a buffering effect on natural killer cell activity decrease in major depression

Abstract

Decreased immunity in depressive as compared with control subjects has been well documented, although some depressed patients have severe alterations whereas others have milder ones or not at all. Since for equal severities of depression, there may be individual differences in the degree of perceived control over one's condition, we investigated the interaction of perceived control with immunological variations. Immune function (T and B lymphocytes, lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity (NKCA)) were evaluated in 34 adult major depressives and in 18 healthy controls. Lymphocyte proliferation did not differ between the two groups, but NKCA was significantly lower in the depressed patient group. Among the depressed subjects, those who experienced less subjective control also showed significantly lower NKCA. An internal locus of control appears to act as a buffer against the decrease in cellular immunity observed in major depression. Further studies should focus on methods of coping and on degree of perceived control rather than on diagnostic and nosographic variables alone.

Medication barriers and anti-hypertensive medication adherence: The moderating role of locus of control

“…However, lower external control (as measured by the remaining two items) and higher internal locus of control was associated with higher medication adherence. Previous studies have found that internal locus of control is often associated with better health (Dalgard & Lund Haheim, 1998), higher adherence (Hershey et al, 1980;Kerr, 1986), and even better immune functioning (Reynaert et al, 1995). On the other hand, external locus of control has been found in some studies to be associated with poorer health (Dalgard & Lund Haheim, 1998;Pillisuk, Montgomery, Parks, & Acredolo, 1993).…”

Prediction of depression 6 months to 3 years after treatment of head and neck cancer

“…8,46 That women reported more depressive symptoms at follow-up is consistent with other findings showing higher levels of emotional distress and more problems regarding psychological adjustment in women. 47, 48 Hammerlid et al 16 found that female patients more often scored as probable or possible cases of anxiety (but not of depression) during the first year after the start of treatment for head and neck cancer. However, other studies failed to find significant differences in psychological responses between men and women.…”

The Gap in the Current Research on the Link between Health Locus of Control and Multiple Sclerosis: Lessons and Insights from a Systematic Review

“…Stressful events can lead to an activation of endocrine (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis) and autonomic pathways, as well as to a dysregulation of immune system, thus influencing the relapse and the course of MS [25]. Even though a psychobiological explanation of LOC is lacking, there are some empirical studies that have shown a correlation between salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) and LOC orientation [26], while other researchers have found internal LOC working as a “buffer” against the decrease of cellular immunity in depression (the so-called “immune control theory”) [27]. …”