The effect of self-reported health on latent herpesvirus reactivation and inflammation in an ethnically diverse sample

Abstract

Self-rated health (SRH) is a reliable predictor of health outcomes including morbidity and mortality. Immune dysregulation is one hypothesized mechanism underlying the association between SRH and health outcomes. Indeed, poorer SRH is associated with greater inflammation. The association between SRH and reactivation of latent herpesviruses is unknown, representing an important gap in the literature given that reactivation of latent herpesviruses leads to enhanced inflammation. The present study addressed this important gap in the literature by examining associations between SRH, inflammation (i.e., peripheral cytokines in the blood), and reactivation of latent herpesviruses among a sample of 1,208 individuals participating in the Texas City Stress and Health Study. Participants completed a self-report measure of SRH and a blood draw. Results indicated that higher SRH was associated with lower reactivation of latent herpesviruses and inflammation. Moreover, reactivation of latent herpesviruses partially mediated the association between SRH and inflammation. Accordingly, findings add to our growing understanding of the association between SRH and immune dysfunction.

Attachment Orientations, Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia, and Stress Are Important for Understanding the Link Between Childhood Socioeconomic Status and Adult Self-Reported Health

“…Additionally, self-reports of childhood SES, attachment orientations, stress, and health were utilized in the present study indicating that there may have been shared method bias (94). Importantly, self-reported health is associated with broad health relevant outcomes such as immune dysregulation (95) and all-cause mortality (96). Although self-reported health is a strong predictor of broad health outcomes, it does not provide specific information about the health outcomes that attachment orientations may be indirectly associated with.…”

Predicting emotional health indicators from linguistic evidence of psychological distancing

“…To assess general health and well‐being, participants completed the RAND short‐form health survey (SF‐36; Ware & Sherbourne, ), which is a 36‐item measure containing eight multi‐item subscales: (a) physical functioning (Cronbach's α = 0.93), (b) role limitations due to physical health (Cronbach's α = 0.84), (c) role limitations due to emotional problems (Cronbach's α = 0.83), (d) energy/fatigue (Cronbach's α = 0.86), (e) pain (Cronbach's α = 0.78), (f) emotional well‐being (Cronbach's α = 0.90), (g) social functioning (Cronbach's α = 0.85), and (h) general health (Cronbach's α = 0.78; Murdock, Fagundes, Kristen Peek, Vohra, & Stowe, ; Ware & Sherbourne, ).…”

The Impact of Everyday Stressors on the Immune System and Health

“…19). For instance, higher self-reported health was associated with lower reactivation of latent herpesviruses and inflammation (Murdock et al 2016). Meanwhile, increased antibody titers against EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) have been observed in the context of depression (Bennett et al 2012), perceived stress (Brook et al 2017), childhood adversity (Fagundes et al 2013a), bereavement or divorce (Derry et al 2012), exam stress (Matalka et al 2000), attachment anxiety (Fagundes et al 2014), and perceived discrimination (Christian et al 2012).…”