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ABSTRACT ObjectivesThe impacts of stress on inflammation, although hypothesized, have not been thoroughly examined, especially in relation to social and environmental factors and particularly within Black populations. This study aims to explore the biological mechanisms of embodiment linking stress and health to understand physiological changes in the body's response to psychological stress in a Nigerian population. Through a multidisciplinary approach, this study queries the relationship between stress, cortisol, and salivary C‐reactive protein (sCRP), a biomarker of inflammation, while also validating the use of sCRP as a potential and accurate stress indicator in the field. MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 138 passive drool saliva samples (nfemale = 89nmale = 49) were collected and assessed for sCRP and cortisol levels in adults. Participants also completed a short demographic survey and, to measure psychological stress, the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ‐12). Relationships between sCRP and stress‐related variables (i.e., cortisol, GHQ‐12, and demographic data) were assessed using Spearman's correlations, simple regression, multivariable linear regression, and exploratory factor analysis. ResultssCRP levels ranged from 20.57 to 6879.41 pg/mL across all samples, with significant differences between female and male participants. The GHQ‐12 was not a significant predictor of sCRP variability. However, socio‐demographic factors such as body mass index (BMI), age, self‐reported sex, ethnic identity, and cortisol were significant predictors, collectively explaining 24%–27% of the variation in sCRP. ConclusionSocio‐demographic predictors like BMI, age, sex, and particularly ethnic group experience in Nigeria encapsulate aspects of embodied stress, that significantly affect sCRP variability.
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The Cycle of Stress: From Individuals to the World and Back
Stress is a feeling of being worried, scared, or overwhelmed, caused by challenging situations or big life changes. Not all stress is bad, and some kinds of stress, like exercise, can even be good for us. However, when stress is severe or lasts a long time, it can harm our health. Severe stress causes inflammation, which is the body’s way of protecting itself. Inflammation helps the body heal, but long-lasting inflammation can lead to health problems. Stress can also affect the brain, making it hard to think clearly or make good decisions. In our work, we linked all these stress-related factors together (using math) to explain our hypothesis that stress can spread from person to person through our actions, words, and body language—and even over social media—until it affects whole societies and eventually the entire planet! This is a dangerous cycle that can lead to evenmorestress and inflammation, making problems worse. To break the cycle, we each need to focus on reducing stress in our own lives.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1654019
- PAR ID:
- 10530961
- Publisher / Repository:
- Frontiers
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Frontiers for Young Minds
- Volume:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 2296-6846
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2023.1229085
