NCJ Number
57100
Journal
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 147-154
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO STRESS AMONG 58 MALE INMATES OF A MAXIMUM-SECURITY PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE SUBJECTS' PLASMA ADRENALINE AND NORADRENALINE LEVELS WERE MONITORED AS THE SUBJECTS ANTICIPATED AND TOOK PART IN A STRESS INDUCTION PROGRAM. (ADRENALINE AND NORADRENALINE ARE HORMONES THAT PLAY A ROLE IN THE BODY'S RESPONSE TO STRESS. SOME STUDIES HAVE FOUND A CONNECTION BETWEEN HIGH NORADRENALINE LEVELS AND AGGRESSION AND BETWEEN HIGH ADRENALINE LEVELS AND FEAR OR ANXIETY. OTHERS HAVE FOUND INCREASES IN BOTH HORMONES ASSOCIATED WITH BOTH MOODS). ON THE BASIS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL TESTS, THE SUBJECTS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS: THOSE WHO RESPONDED NORMALLY TO STRESS, AND THOSE WHOSE ANXIETY WAS LESS THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED (HYPORESPONSIVE). THE HYPORESPONSIVE SUBJECTS HAD SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER ADRENALINE LEVELS THAN THE NORMAL GROUP. THE HYPORESPONSIVE GROUP ALSO INCLUDED SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PROPORTIONS OF SUBJECTS WHO HAD COMMITTED VIOLENT CRIMES AGAINST STRANGERS AND CRIMES RESULTING IN FATALITY. THE FINDINGS (WHICH ARE SUPPORTED BY COMPARABLE RESULTS FOR URINARY TESTS) INDICATE THAT ABNORMAL CATECHOLAMINE (ADRENALINE/NORADRENALINE) RESPONSES MIGHT RELATE TO A FAILURE TO EXPERIENCE ANXIETY AND THE RESTRAINING INFLUENCES OF ANTICIPATORY FEAR. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)