Psychoendocrine aspects of coping with distress.

Abstract

The psychoendocrine aspects of coping with distress were studied under mental and physical laboratory strain as well as in response to naturalistic stress. In spite of the common underlying endocrine responses to distress, gender differences in psychological response appeared to modify endocrine responses to the experience of pain. If the aspiration level task in the laboratory was well controlled by the subject hypothalamo-pituitary stress hormones were no longer secreted. Furthermore, heavy, physical work elevated blood levels of stress hormones (dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, prolactin, cortisol, somatotropin) but especially hypothalamo-pituitary hormones responded to psychological state factors. Hence the role of psychoendocrine coping mechanisms seems to vary and depends on various psychosocial and biological determinants. Controllability is one of the key factors in an individual's ability to cope.