EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IN MEN WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS

This descriptive survey explored the relationship of health status, fu nctional status, stressful life events, stress resistance resources an d emotional distress in 60 men with life-threatening illness (N = 30 w ith cancer and N = 30 with AIDS). Sixty-two percent met CES-D criteria for clinical depression. This study's results supported the hypothese s that poorer functional status and greater negative stressors are ass ociated with both higher levels of hopelessness and depression. Twenty -four patients constituted a group with severe emotional distress. Thi s group was significantly different from the less vulnerable group wit h poorer functional status (KPS), a greater number and severity of neg ative stressors, less satisfaction with social support, and less hopef ulness. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.