Final answer:
The study revealed that chronic stress increases susceptibility to colds by weakening the immune system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Researchers found that participants who reported experiencing chronic stress for more than one month, particularly stress related to work or relationships, were significantly more likely to develop colds after being exposed to the virus. This phenomenon occurs because chronic stress can lead to a weakened immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
The study highlighted by Cohen et al. (1998) provided payment to participants, which may have been an incentive to accept the risk of virus exposure.In a study where participants were exposed to viruses and quarantined for five days, researchers found that individuals who reported experiencing chronic stressors lasting for more than one month were more likely to develop colds compared to those who reported no chronic stressors.