Objective: This study explores the hypothesis that cognitive expectations of catching influenza-like symptoms increase the chances of developing the symptoms over the winter season. Design: Self-reported data from 247 healthy volunteers were obtained twice, before and after the winter season. In the first assessment, expectations about developing influenza-like symptoms in the incoming months were charted. This data was matched with a post-winter assessment of the actual development of the symptoms. Results: The odds of developing symptoms were highly associated with the expectations declared months before (OR = 1.776), and the association remained stable (OR = 1.453) even when accounting for previous influenza-like illnesses and the perception of general health. In contrast with previous findings, perceived stress was not associated with symptom development. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis of a self-fulfilling prophecy mechanism related to influenza-like symptoms.
Pagnini, F., Cavalera, C. M., Volpato, E., Banfi, P., Illness expectations predict the development of influenza-like symptoms over the winter season, <<COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN MEDICINE>>, 2020; 50 (102396): 1-4. [doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102396] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/152701]
Illness expectations predict the development of influenza-like symptoms over the winter season
Pagnini, Francesco
Primo
;Cavalera, Cesare MassimoSecondo
;Volpato, EleonoraPenultimo
;
2020
Abstract
Objective: This study explores the hypothesis that cognitive expectations of catching influenza-like symptoms increase the chances of developing the symptoms over the winter season. Design: Self-reported data from 247 healthy volunteers were obtained twice, before and after the winter season. In the first assessment, expectations about developing influenza-like symptoms in the incoming months were charted. This data was matched with a post-winter assessment of the actual development of the symptoms. Results: The odds of developing symptoms were highly associated with the expectations declared months before (OR = 1.776), and the association remained stable (OR = 1.453) even when accounting for previous influenza-like illnesses and the perception of general health. In contrast with previous findings, perceived stress was not associated with symptom development. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis of a self-fulfilling prophecy mechanism related to influenza-like symptoms.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.