The article below may contain offensive and/or incorrect content.
Dispositional optimism, a personality trait predisposing individuals to positive expectations, has been suggested to promote better health. However, little is known about the biological mechanism of the salubrious health effects of optimism. We hypothesized that by diminishing a sense of threat to the self, optimism will be associated with a healthier profile of gene expression in immune cells. Specifically, the "conserved transcriptional response to adversity” (CTRA) is activated by fight-or-flight stress responses and results in increased transcription of genes involved in inflammation and decreased transcription of genes involved in antiviral defense. In a sample of 114 male Japanese workers, we found that optimism was inversely linked to CTRA after controlling for demographic variables, health-risk factors, and indices of well-being. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that reduced activity of threat-related gene expression programs may contribute to the health effects associated with optimism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)





Parent Site

Departments
Authors
Libraries
Current Articles
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: How schools meet the needs of students crushed by stress, depression
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Losing a long-term spouse can be deadly
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Blog Post » One Year In: COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Is COVID-19 the rock in David’s slingshot that will bring down Goliath?
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: CDC says racism is a 'serious threat' to public health
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Challenges and innovations in Guatemala’s psychology
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Group therapy can provide meaningful connection during COVID-19 loneliness
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Covid-19 linked to depression and dementia
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Stress on the front lines of Covid-19
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Scientific Meeting » Virtual Workshop: Integrating Genomics with Dimensional and Transdiagnostic Approaches to Advance Mental Health Research
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Augmenting exposure therapy: International collaboration and technological innovation for specific phobia
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: What are the 3 levels of autism?
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: How to reach out when someone you know may be at risk of suicide
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Five questions for Michael Kraus
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Meeting the demand for services
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Preparing for leadership
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Benefits of virtual psychotherapy groups for students during COVID-19
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Airbnb launches inclusive virtual experiences for neurodiverse guests
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Video » NIMH Expert Dr. Mary Rooney Discusses Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults
- Article Correctness Is Author's Responsibility: Blog Post » One Year of Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics, and Anticipating New Challenges