COPING SELF-EFFICACY BUFFERS PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES IN HIV-INFECTED MEN FOLLOWING A NATURAL DISASTER

The importance of coping self-efficacy (CSE) appraisals on psychologic al and physiological functioning for HIV seropositive patients facing a severe environmental stressor was rested comparing 37 HIV-infected g ay men and 42 healthy male control participants following Hurricane An drew. Results suggested that greater levels of CSE were related to low er emotional distress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom s In both groups. In addition, greater CSE was associated with lower n orepinephrine to cortisol ratios in the HIV group but not in the healt hy control group. Results are discussed in relation to the coping proc ess for HIV-infected individuals specifically and chronically ill popu lations in general who face severe environmental stressors.