Negative and positive affect as predictors of inflammation: Timing matters

Abstract

Very little research has assessed how measures of negative and positive affect (NA and PA) derived from assessments at multiple time points per day (e.g., via ecological momentary assessment [EMA]), as opposed to questionnaires that rely on recall over a longer period, are related to levels of peripheral inflammation. We examined how different indicators of NA and PA predicted concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and seven peripheral inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ) that were examined in the form of an inflammatory composite. A community-based sample of 220 adults (62% Black/African-American and 25% Hispanic/Latino; aged 25-65; 65% female) completed questionnaires at baseline (including recalled affect "over the past month") and then provided EMA reports 5x/day for 14 days. Blood was drawn from each participant after completion of EMA and used to determine plasma levels of CRP and cytokines. Analyses examined if indicators of affect predicted inflammation, controlling for age, gender, body mass index, education, health conditions, and statin use. Neither recalled NA or PA nor momentary NA or PA (aggregated across the 14 days of EMA) were significantly associated with the cytokine composite or CRP. Negative mood more proximal to the blood draw (i.e., aggregated momentary NA in week 2 of EMA) was associated with the cytokine composite but not CRP. Exploratory moderation analyses revealed that the cytokine composite was also associated with PA in week 2 for men only, and with recalled NA for those with lower education. Exploratory analyses around temporal dynamics suggested that the timing of NA measurement relative to the blood draw mattered: Specifically, there were stronger trends of association between momentary NA and inflammatory cytokines when NA was assessed closer in time to blood collection. Future investigation of the relevance of temporal proximity and other measurement details may improve understanding of how affect relates to inflammation.

Emotional State Can Affect Inflammatory Responses to Pain Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Preliminary Findings

“…For example, momentary positive emotion was linked with lower levels of CRP and IL-6 among midlife women (Steptoe, O'Donnell, Badrick, Kumari, & Marmot, 2008). Further, in a diverse sample of mid-life adults, momentary negative affect was associated with higher levels of a composite of inflammatory cytokines that included IL-6 and TNF-a (Graham-Engeland et al, 2018).…”

Twitter, time and emotions

“…In the workplace, positive mood did predict positive emotional contagion between workers and clients [87]. Individuals with negative mood are more likely to report being less physically active [90], poor health [91], presented delays in wound healings [92], worsening prolonged or chronic illnesses [93] and to experience less success in the adherence of treatment for illnesses [94]. Delayed PA phases have also been consistently associated with symptoms of depression [95].…”

Methodological and conceptual complexities of assessing relationships between single-occasion CRP inflammation and daily affect

“…Most current research has tested for inflammation using acute inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or IL-6, which are then used to predict current or recently experienced affect or depressive symptoms. In this vein, a recent study found empirical evidence that the relationship between inflammation and affect is a dynamic process and can vary daily ( Graham-Engeland et al., 2018 ). The Graham-Engeland et al.…”

“…We also sought to address methodological and statistical considerations raised from previous work (e.g. Graham-Engeland et al., 2018 ; Shrout et al., 2018 ; Rooijen et al., 2006 ), and finally, we discuss what implications these findings may have for future work in inflammation-related outcomes such as microbiome research.…”

“…At present, we are aware of only one study, namely by Graham-Engeland et al. (2018) , that has assessed time-variance in the inflammation-affect relationship.…”