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Predictors of Immune Fitness and the Alcohol Hangover: Survey Data from UK and Irish Adults

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  • Joris C. Verster

    (Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
    Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
    Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany)

  • Agnese Merlo

    (Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Maureen N. Zijlstra

    (Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Benthe R. C. van der Weij

    (Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Anne S. Boogaard

    (Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Sanne E. Schulz

    (Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Jessica Balikji

    (Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Andy J. Kim

    (Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

  • Sherry H. Stewart

    (Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
    Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, 5909 Veterans’ Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada)

  • Simon B. Sherry

    (Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

  • Johan Garssen

    (Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
    Danone Global Research & Innovation Center, Uppsalalaan 12, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Gillian Bruce

    (School of Education and Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK)

  • Lydia E. Devenney

    (Department of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK)

Abstract

Immune fitness is defined as the capacity of the body to respond to health challenges (such as infections) by activating an appropriate immune response to promote health and prevent and resolve disease, which is essential for improving quality of life. Thus, immune fitness plays an essential role in health, and reduced immune fitness may be an important signal of increased susceptibility for disease. Lifestyle factors such as increased levels of alcohol consumption have been shown to negatively impact immune fitness. The alcohol hangover is the most frequently reported negative consequence of alcohol consumption and is defined as the combination of negative mental and physical symptoms, which can be experienced after a single episode of alcohol consumption, starting when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) approaches zero. Significant correlations have been reported between hangover severity and both immune fitness and biomarkers of systemic inflammation. The concepts of immune fitness and alcohol hangover are further linked by the fact that the inflammatory response to alcohol consumption plays an important role in the pathology of the alcohol hangover. Moreover, immune fitness has been related to the susceptibility of experiencing hangovers per se. It is therefore important to investigate the interrelationship between immune fitness and the alcohol hangover, and to identify possible predictor variables of both constructs. This data descriptor article describes a study that was conducted with adults living in the UK or Ireland, evaluating possible correlates and predictors of immune fitness and the alcohol hangover. Data on mood, personality, mental resilience, pain catastrophizing, and sleep were collected from n = 1178 participants through an online survey. Herein, the survey and corresponding dataset are described.

Suggested Citation

  • Joris C. Verster & Agnese Merlo & Maureen N. Zijlstra & Benthe R. C. van der Weij & Anne S. Boogaard & Sanne E. Schulz & Jessica Balikji & Andy J. Kim & Sherry H. Stewart & Simon B. Sherry & Johan Gar, 2025. "Predictors of Immune Fitness and the Alcohol Hangover: Survey Data from UK and Irish Adults," Data, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jdataj:v:10:y:2025:i:4:p:49-:d:1626037
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Livia J. F. Wilod Versprille & Aurora J. A. E. van de Loo & Marlou Mackus & Lizanne Arnoldy & Titia A. L. Sulzer & Sterre A. Vermeulen & Smedra Abdulahad & Hendrikje Huls & Ton Baars & Andrew Scholey , 2019. "Development and Validation of the Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Agnese Merlo & Noortje R Severeijns & Sarah Benson & Andrew Scholey & Johan Garssen & Gillian Bruce & Joris C Verster, 2021. "Mood and Changes in Alcohol Consumption in Young Adults during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Model Explaining Associations with Perceived Immune Fitness and Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Hama M. Saeed & Annabel S. M. Sips & Lauren J. Owen & Joris C. Verster, 2021. "The Relationship between Pain Sensitivity, Pain Catastrophizing and Hangover Severity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-8, February.
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