Stress, coping, and physical health in caregiving.

A translational approach to the mind–brain–body connection.

“…When considered in concert, the studies in this special issue provide a rich discussion of the multiple biological and behavioral mechanisms by which psychological constructs (e.g., social context, mental health) are linked to physical health (Figure 2). At the most basic level of analysis, Zajdel et al (2023) examine how caregivers' stress contexts are related to biological and behavioral markers of physical health: functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, an important physiological stress response system, systemic inflammation within the immune system, and self-reported assessment of physical health. They also investigate how caregivers' coping style may moderate these associations and whether the effects of coping style on biological and self-reported physical health differ by context.…”