Ki. Pakenham et M. Rinaldis, The role of illness, resources, appraisal, and coping strategies in adjustment to HIV/AIDS: The direct and buffering effects, J BEHAV MED, 24(3), 2001, pp. 259-279
This study examined the utility of a stress and coping model of adjustment
to HIV/AIDS. A total of 114 HN-infected gay or bisexual men were interviewe
d and they completed self-administered scales. Predictors included illness
variables (disease stage and number of symptoms), coping resources (optimis
m and social support), appraisal (threat, challenge, and controllability),
and coping strategies (problem-and emotion-focused). Adjustment outcomes we
re depression, global distress, social adjustment, and subjective health st
atus. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that better a
djustment was related to an asymptomatic illness stage, fewer HN-related sy
mptoms, greater social support, challenge and controllability appraisals, p
roblem-focused coping, and lower threat appraisals and reliance on emotion
focused coping. There was limited support for the stress-buffering effects
of optimism. Findings support the utility of a stress and coping model of a
djustment to HIV/AIDS.