Psychosocial Risk Factors for Upper Respiratory Infection: An Exploratory Study

摘要

Previously reported correlates of upper respiratory infections (URIs) were studied in an initial attempt to develop a risk profile for URIs. The criterion was the number of upper respiratory infections during military basic training. URIs were more frequent among recruits reporting a past history of frequent colds, frequent cold sores, and who were white (R2 = .176). Alcohol consumption was a significant bivariate predictor of URIs, but did not add significantly to the prediction of URIs controlling for these other factors. Smoking history, age, and neurotic tendencies did not significantly predict URIs in this sample. The results demonstrated the feasibility of a psychosocial risk profile for URIs, but more satisfactory profile should be possible with improved measurement of URIs and potential predictors such as smoking as well as consideration of other possible risk factors not included in this study. Keywords: Infectious Disease, Risk Factors, Demographic Characteristics, Personality, Alcohol, Coffee.