A shot in the arm for research: Why are vaccinations interesting to psychologists?

Citation

Whittaker AC & Burns VE (2008) A shot in the arm for research: Why are vaccinations interesting to psychologists?. The Psychologist, 21, pp. 202-205. https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-21/edition-3/shot-arm-research

Abstract
First paragraph: Next time you get flu or a cold after a particularly difficult week, don’t dismiss it as coincidence. Interdisciplinary work between psychologists and immunologists has shown that factors like stress could be the trigger. By studying the response to vaccination, we can examine immune function in a clinically meaningful way. This technique has demonstrated relationships between factors such as stress, social support, and personality and vaccination-induced protection against disease. The types of stress and social support that influence our immune response also change as we age, emphasising the importance of a life course approach to study.

Journal
The Psychologist: Volume 21

People

Professor Anna Whittaker

Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Sport