The psychosocial anti-inflammatories: Sense of control, purpose in life, and social support in relation to inflammation, functional health and chronic conditions in adulthood.

Objective: Three psychosocial variables were examined as predictors of chronic inflammation, functional health, and number of chronic conditions.

Methods: This cohort study used the Midlife in the United States biomarker sample. Data were collected in 2004-2009 (M2) and 2013-17 (M3). The sample included 1244 adults ages 34 to 82 (M = 54.50, SD = 11.7), with 57 % women, 79 % white, and education from 6 to 20 years (M = 14.47, SD = 2.65). Sense of control, purpose in life, and social support were included as indicators of a psychosocial latent factor. Inflammation was measured with Interleukin-6, C-reactive Protein, E-Selectin, Fibrinogen, and Intracellular Adhesion Molecule-1. Covariates included age, sex, education, race, and household income. Functional health and chronic conditions were assessed M = 9.27 (SD = 0.78) years after the psychosocial variables and M = 7.06, (SD = 1.47) years after inflammation.

Results: Using a structural equation model and controlling for covariates, higher levels on the psychosocial variables predicted lower inflammation (β = -0.12, 95 % CI -0.22 to -0.02; p = .016), better functional health (β = 0.25, 95 % CI 0.18 to 0.32; p < .001), and fewer chronic conditions (β = -0.22, 95 % CI -0.30 to -0.15; p < .001), with inflammation a mediator (indirect effects: functional health, β = 0.03, 95 % CI 0.00 to 0.05, p = .020 and chronic conditions, β = -0.02, 95 % CI -0.03 to -0.00, p = .036).

Conclusions: Adaptive psychosocial beliefs and supportive relationships are important as they can provide motivation for engaging in health-promoting behaviors and can reduce stress that can lead to chronic inflammation and poor health. The results can inform a psychosocial prescription for health.