Individual differences, immunity, and cancer: Lessons from personality psychology

  • Suzanne C. Segerstrom

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Individual differences have an important role in modulating the relationship between environmental events such as stressors and the immune system, and stable individual differences such as personality may have an important influence not only on immunity but on the progression of chronic health problems such as cancer. However, the relationships among personality, the immune system, and health - especially cancer - are controversial. Looking back to another controversy may help inform future research in this area: In the 1960s, Walter Mischel questioned whether stable personality traits existed. Responses to this challenge included research designs that improved reliability and accounted for both person and situation in an interactionist model. Both responses are relevant to current research in personality, immunity, and health.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)92-97
Number of pages6
JournalBrain, Behavior, and Immunity
Volume17
Issue number1 SUPPL.
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2003

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Mental HealthR01MH061531

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

    Keywords

    • Cancer
    • Immunity
    • Interactionism
    • Methodology
    • Opt imism
    • Personality
    • Reliability
    • Stress

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Immunology
    • Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
    • Behavioral Neuroscience

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