A survey was conducted among healthy young Dutch adults aged 18–30 years. Participants were recruited at the campus of Utrecht University, and most of them were students. Surveys were completed on location, and data were collected during spring 2016. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants; no formal ethics approval was required to conduct this research, according to the Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CCMO).
Mental resilience was assessed using the BRS.6 (link) The BRS consists of six items that can be answered using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The average mental resilience score ranging from 0 to 6 was computed, with higher scores implying stronger mental resilience.
Perceived immune functioning and perceived health status were scored from 0 (very poor) to 10 (excellent), using single item questions.15 (link) A yes/no question was asked to determine whether participants perceived reduced immune functioning at this moment. In addition, the immune function questionnaire (IFQ) was completed.18 (link) The IFQ includes 19 items on weakened immune system functioning, such as sore throat, flu, cold sores, ear infection, and sudden high fever. The frequency of these immune-related illnesses (0=never, 1=once or twice, 2=occasionally, 3=regularly, and 4=frequently) was also scored on a 5-point Likert scale. The overall IFQ score ranges from 0 to 76, with higher scores implying worse immune functioning.
The BRS and IFQ have been used in several studies and reliability and validity have been demonstrated.6 (link),18 (link) The 1-item scores of perceived immune functioning and health have been used successfully in previous research, and outcomes correlate well with IFQ scores.15 (link)
IBM SPSS statistics version 23 was used for data analysis. Independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation tests were used to assess significant differences and correlations between various groups and variables. Fisher’s r-to-z transformation calculation was used to test for significant differences between correlations.
Mental resilience was assessed using the BRS.6 (link) The BRS consists of six items that can be answered using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The average mental resilience score ranging from 0 to 6 was computed, with higher scores implying stronger mental resilience.
Perceived immune functioning and perceived health status were scored from 0 (very poor) to 10 (excellent), using single item questions.15 (link) A yes/no question was asked to determine whether participants perceived reduced immune functioning at this moment. In addition, the immune function questionnaire (IFQ) was completed.18 (link) The IFQ includes 19 items on weakened immune system functioning, such as sore throat, flu, cold sores, ear infection, and sudden high fever. The frequency of these immune-related illnesses (0=never, 1=once or twice, 2=occasionally, 3=regularly, and 4=frequently) was also scored on a 5-point Likert scale. The overall IFQ score ranges from 0 to 76, with higher scores implying worse immune functioning.
The BRS and IFQ have been used in several studies and reliability and validity have been demonstrated.6 (link),18 (link) The 1-item scores of perceived immune functioning and health have been used successfully in previous research, and outcomes correlate well with IFQ scores.15 (link)
IBM SPSS statistics version 23 was used for data analysis. Independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation tests were used to assess significant differences and correlations between various groups and variables. Fisher’s r-to-z transformation calculation was used to test for significant differences between correlations.
