The role of illness, resources, appraisal, and coping strategies in adjustment to HIV/AIDS: The direct and buffering effects

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.