Links Between Anxiety and Allergies: Psychobiological Reality or Possible Methodological Bias?

Gregory, Alice M.; Caspi, Avshalom; Moffitt, Terrie E.; Milne, Barry J. and Sears, Malcolmn R.. 2009. Links Between Anxiety and Allergies: Psychobiological Reality or Possible Methodological Bias? Journal Of Personality, 77, pp. 347-362. [Article]

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Abstract or Description

The objective of the study was to examine the link between anxiety and allergies to establish whether it reflects a psychobiological reality or a possible methodological bias. A cohort of 1,037 children enrolled in the study. Anxiety disorders were assessed between 11 and 21 years. Anxious personality was assessed at 18 years. Allergies were examined at 21 years by (a) self reports, (b) skin pricks, and (c) serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE). Self-reported allergies were predicted by recurrent anxiety disorders (OR [95% CI] = 51.56 [1.06–2.30], p = 5.023) and self-reports of anxious personality (OR [95% CI] = 51.67 [1.17–2.37], p = .004): Objectively verified allergies were not. These results suggest that the link between anxiety and allergies may reflect a methodological artifact rather than a psychobiological reality.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00550.x

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Psychology

Dates:

DateEvent
2 February 2009Published

Item ID:

7029

Date Deposited:

02 Jul 2012 10:13

Last Modified:

29 Apr 2020 15:50

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/7029

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