Effects of Depressive Symptoms and Inflammation on Social Behavior (2023)

Undergraduate: Sarah Barnes

Faculty Advisor: Keely Muscatell
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience

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The immune system is responsible for regulating social behavior. Specifically, when individuals experience heightened inflammation, they may withdraw from strangers but approach close others for support. Depressive symptomology is also interconnected with inflammation and social behavior. The current study examined the effects of depressive symptoms and inflammation on social behavior, specifically how these factors influence feelings of social connection and enjoyment during a live social interaction. We recruited 28 college students who were randomly assigned to receive either the influenza vaccine or a sham. The next day, the participants had a social interaction with both a stranger and close other, and reported their feelings of social connection and enjoyment after each interaction. Results showed participants enjoyed and felt more connected after interacting with a friend. Additionally, condition interacted with relationship type to predict feelings of social connection. Despite prior associations between depressive symptoms and social behaviors, there was no moderation by depression. This study provides preliminary evidence that when experiencing a mild inflammatory challenge such as the influenza vaccine, people may approach their close other but withdraw from strangers. Further research is needed to understand how depressive symptoms contribute to this relationship.

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