Abstract:
The hunt for novel tools to investigate empirical questions is ever present in
psychophysiological research. Antibody response to vaccination has received increasing
attention over recent years as a useful measure of in vivo immune function. There is now
considerable evidence that the magnitude of the antibody response to vaccination is
associated with a wide range of psychosocial factors. Further, there are preliminary
indications that manipulating psychosocial variables, using both chronic and acute
interventions, can also alter the efficacy of the vaccination. This review will discuss the
theoretical and clinical relevance of the vaccine model in this context, and will address
key methodological considerations for researchers considering adopting this approach.
The review will also address how the strategic use of this model could help researchers
further elucidate some of the remaining theoretical issues.