EFFECTS OF CHRONIC STRESS ON BETA-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS IN THE HOMELESS

This study examined the role of chronic life stress (homelessness), coping style, and hypertension on beta-adrenergic receptors in a sample of homeless men. Sixteen healthy normotensive subjects and nine untreated hypertensive subjects were studied. Life stress was measured with the Brown and Harris categorization; coping style was measured with the Ways of Coping Scale. Lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptors were characterized in terms of receptor density (B-max). Individuals with high life stress had lower B-max (p < .005). In multiple regression analyses, 50% of the variance in B-max was accounted for by life stress and coping style (p = .01). Receptor measures may be useful for characterizing the physiological response to continuing life adversity.