The Effects of Academic Stress on Immune Functioning

The Effects of Academic Stress on Immune Functioning

Stress associated with academic examinations is thought to cause immunosuppression in students. However, it is currently unclear whether the immunosupression associated with academic pressure is related to increases in the stress hormone, cortisol. Indeed, it is possible that factors independent of cortisol may control the emotional and immune response. In the current study, we were interested in untangling the complex relationship between academic stress and immunusupression through comparing both subjective and objective measures of academic stress and immune functioning. Students were assessed before, during, and after an academic examination period. During each assessment, self-reported subjective reports of stress were collected through the use of The Perceived Stress Scale. We assessed self-reported subjective reports of academic examination stress through the use of The Academic Pressure Survey which was designed by the authors of this study to quantify the academic pressure experienced by students in a given week. In order to quantify objective measures of stress and immune functioning, salivary samples were collected for the quantification of cortisol and Secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) levels, respectively. Preliminary data suggest that overall, family support decreases reported stress levels in students. During an examination period, both time spent studying and the belief that the exams would impact the students’ future resulted in increased reported stress levels.