Final answer:
The false statement is that anger and hostility strengthen the immune system; in fact, they are associated with detrimental inflammatory responses. Stress management and supportive interventions can boost immune health, but chronic stress impairs it.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding stress and the immune system, the false statement is: c. Anger and hostility tend to strengthen immune system response. It is well-established through research that anger and hostility may in fact be correlated with increased levels of certain cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6), which reflect an inflammatory response, and can be deleterious to immune function over time. While some aspects of the immune response may be temporarily enhanced during acute stress, chronic psychological stressors are associated with weakened immune system functioning.
Studies have demonstrated that stress management can reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms, and supportive interventions like support groups, relaxation exercises, and guided imagery are indeed beneficial for the immune system. Conversely, long-term or chronic stress can lead to suppression of the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illness. The science of psychoneuroimmunology has helped to clarify the complex interactions between stress and immune health, highlighting how our body's systems communicate and evolved together.