Effects of Psychosocial Interactions at a Cellular Level

Psychosocial interactions can affect physiological functions at a cellular level, reSUlting in increased longevity for people who have had heart attacks or who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome or cancer as well as for healthy individuals. Although social work pioneers and practitioners have always believed that social work intervention can help people feel better, recent studies show that the benefits can be measured quantitatively and qualitatively. In fact, these studies show that lack of psychosocial interaction may be a risk factor for disease progression. Key words: longevity; physical health; psychosocial interaction; stress Social work pioneers, scholars, and practitio-ners have always believed that social work intervention can improve quality oflife by helping people feel better. Journals, conventions, and the media have supported that belief anecdot-ally. Borrowing from the geological model of "mind over matter " in the development of the earth itself (Lyell, 1863), the concept of "mind-body " is not new. The data supporting the con-cept have expanded over time (Levine, Coe, & Wiener, 1989). To survive as a species, humans need social interaction; for example, because early hunters and gatherers worked together, hu-manity was able to survive and become civilized ("Hunting and Gathering Society, " 1989). Ancient physicians "showed their wisdom " by treating the whole person, soul as well as body ("Primitiv