Academic stress, immunological reaction, and academic performance among students of nursing and physiotherapy

Orly Sarid, Ofra Anson, Arieh Yaari, Miriam Margalith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

The associations among health status, health behavior, and changes in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) specific salivary antibodies during academic stress were investigated in relation to academic achievement among nursing and physiotherapy students. Fifty-four first year students donated saliva samples and completed a pencil and paper questionnaire before (t1), during two term examinations (t2 and t3), and after grades were posted (t4). An increase in the level of specific salivary HCMV IgG and IgA antibodies from t1 to t2, and a decrease from t2 to t4 were related to academic success. Health status and health behavior remained fairly stable during the stress period. The results are congruent with the inverted U-shape model of stress and learning suggested by Yerkes & Dodson (1908).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)370-377
Number of pages8
JournalResearch in Nursing and Health
Volume27
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2004

Keywords

  • Academic achievements
  • Academic stress
  • Health
  • Humoral reaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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