Name and define the three general psychosocial factors that have been shown to influence disease. For each, and in one sentence, summarize the link that research has supported between the psychosocial factor and physical disease.

Each of the three general psychosocial factors can be understood within the transactional framework: they exert their effects by way of the threat appraisal-and- coping transactions that the individual makes with their environment. The first factor, social status refers to an individual's position in a social hierarchy. Research shows that people and animals in higher positions live longer, an effect mediated by differences in neuroendocine, autonomic and immune system profiles: higher status persons / animals are reactive to stressors, but show a faster return to resting conditions, and normalized immune system response. The presence of social supports refers to the extent to which an individual feels connected to other people in meaningful ways. The presence of high social support is associated with reduced mortality, especially in men; the absence of social support appears to make existing disease worse. Finally, personality has also been linked to disease processes. Alexithymia confers increased risk for several medical conditions.