Effects of Expression and Inhibition of Negative Emotions on Health, Mood States, and Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin a in Japanese Mildly Depressed Undergraduates

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that expression of negative emotions facilitates mental and physical health and inhibition of negative emotions increases susceptibility to illness. This study was conducted to examine whether those findings can be expanded to populations with non-Western cultural backgrounds. Specifically, we explored effects of expression and inhibition of negative emotions on health, mood states, and mucosal immune function in mildly depressed Japanese individuals. 16 depressed and 16 nondepressed female undergraduates were required either to write about their unpleasant experiences and superficial topics or to suppress any emotional responses and thoughts about them. Secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) in saliva and psychological indices were measured at an experimental session and at a follow-up 1 wk. later. Beneficial effects of expression of emotions on subjective health were indicated in the nondepressed group, whereas harmful effects of inhibition on subjective health were shown in the depressed group. Emotional expression by writing improved mood states both in the depressed and nondepressed groups but induced elevation of salivary s-IgA only in the depressed group.

Effects of assertiveness training and expressive writing on acculturative stress in international students: A randomized trial.

“…More generally, basic emotions appear to be universal (Izard, 1994), and the awareness, experience, and processing of emotions appears to be evolutionarily adaptive across cultures because it provides vital information about the person-environment relationship and motivation for action (Lazarus, 1991). Finally, two recent studies have found that native students in Japan responded positively to expressive writing, with improved immune function and working memory (Takagi & Ohira, 2004; Yogo & Fukihara, 2008), suggesting that the potential benefits of this technique may be worldwide. Thus, expressive writing, conducted in a private, non-social setting, may confer benefits for international students, but this has not been researched.…”

Association between immunoglobulin A and depression in Chinese older adults: findings from a cross-sectional study

“…Abnormal levels of immunoglobulin A could disrupt the balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions in the body, which is generally believed to be closely related to the occurrence of depression; however, there have been some differences in specific conclusions [ 7 , 8 ]. Takagi and Ohira [ 9 ] found that patients with depression have higher levels of immunoglobulin A in the saliva. However, Kawano and Emori [ 10 ] reported that breast milk solute immunoglobulin A levels were negatively correlated with emotional abnormalities such as depression and anxiety in patients with postpartum depression.…”