Authors

1Jesús Andrés García Rivas, 2Celia Rodríguez Porrino

Position

¹Diplomado Universitario en Enfermería. ²Diplomada Universitaria en Enfermería.

Contact address

Barriada de San Diego. Bl-23, 2º B. 41008 Sevilla.

Abstract

Psychoneuroimmunology is the field that investigates the bidirectional relationships between behaviour, brain and immune system. It investigates how certain psychological factors, especially stress, impinge on the vulnerability of the body to disease. Disease, in this case, means conditions directly related to the immunologic system. The article starts with a definition of the concept of psychoneuroimmunology, establishing the relationships between stress and immunity and explaining other important implications for the nursing practice. It then goes on to show how the immunologic system can be affected by psychological stressors (sharp and chronic). The article also presents valid argumentations demonstrating that personal suffering of stressful events can lead to the development of certain diseases. It concludes by describing some nursing interventions related to sychoneuroimmunology that can be successfully implemented.

Keywords:

psychoneuroimmunology; stress; immunityhealth psychology

Versión en Español

Título:

Psiconeuroinmunología: inmunidad y estrés