Keywords

cancer, health, HIV, physiology, psychoneuroimmunology, theory development

Authors

1. McCain, Nancy L. DSN, RN, FAAN
2. Gray, Dorothy Patricia PhD, RN
3. Walter, Jeanne M. MS, RN, FAAMA
4. Robins, JoLynne PhD, RN, ANP

Abstract

This article addresses psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) as an integrative paradigm for advancing both theoretical and empirical knowledge of physiological patterns that contribute to the dynamics of health. We depict relationships among relevant psychobehavioral and physiological components in a PNI-based framework. We then provide examples of how this framework guided 2 clinical trials designed to assess the effectiveness of selected nursing interventions to reduce stress and enhance coping, one in persons with human immunodeficiency viral disease and the other in persons with cancer. The examples address disease-specific measures for assessing the components of the PNI-based framework.