When is affect variability bad for health? The association between affect variability and immune response to the influenza vaccination

• Published in: Journal of psychosomatic research 2018-01, Vol.104, p.41-47
• Main Authors: Jenkins, Brooke N., Hunter, John F., Cross, Marie P., Acevedo, Amanda M., Pressman, Sarah D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Affect - physiology; Affect variability; Affective experiences; Antibody response; Blood; Correlation analysis; Emotions; Female; Health status; Humans; Immune function; Immune response; Immunization; Influenza; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Male; Negative affect; Negative emotions; Oscillations; Positive affect; Positive emotions; Pregnancy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Vaccination; Vaccination - psychology; Variability; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0022-3999; 1879-1360
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.11.002

This study addresses methodological and theoretical questions about the association between affect and physical health. Specifically, we examine the role of affect variability and its interaction with mean levels of affect to predict antibody (Ab) levels in response to an influenza vaccination. Participants (N=83) received the vaccination and completed daily diary measures of affect four times a day for 13days. At one and four months post-vaccination, blood was collected from the participants to assess Ab levels. Findings indicate that affect variability and its interaction with mean levels of affect predict an individual's immune response. Those high in mean positive affect (PA) who had more PA variability were more likely to have a lower Ab response in comparison to those who had high mean PA and less PA variability. Although it did not interact with mean negative affect (NA), NA variability on its own was associated with Ab response, whereby those with less NA variability mounted a more robust immune response. Affect variability is related to immune response to an influenza vaccination and, in some cases, interacts with mean levels of affect. These oscillations in affective experiences are critical to consider in order to unpack the intricacies of how affect influences health. These findings suggest that future researchers should consider the important role of affect variability on physical health-relevant outcomes as well as examine the moderating effect of mean affect levels. •Affect variability has important implications for immune response.•Negative affect variability is related to lower antibody production.•Positive affect variability and mean levels interact to influence antibody production.•Future researchers should consider how affect variability influences health.