Stress-Induced Growth Hormone Release: Psychologic and Physiologic Correlates

Abstract

Stress-induced GH release occurred in a minority of [human] subjects [Ss] exposed to a stressful situation, suggesting that activation of this neuroendocrine system is a function of a specific type of stress response, coping style or psychophysiologic organization. The psychologic characteristics, subjective states and physiologic variables that differentiate Ss who do and do not release GH during a stressful situation were examined. GH release was demonstrated in 1/3 of Ss exposed to a presumably stressful situation. This presumably stress-induced GH release was related not to any measurable or obvious degree of subjective distress at the time of catheterization, but rather to an enduring perceptual characteristic, field independence. Significantly higher "egotism" (self-involvement) scores were found in GH responders. GH response during cardiac catheterization occurred selectively in Ss who were anxious and not involved with the examiners [Greene, Conron, Schalch and Schreiner]. This possible consistency across 2 studies suggests that the relationship between self-involvement or inner directedness and GH response deserves further scrutiny.