ARE REPORTED STRESS AND COPING STYLE ASSOCIATED WITH FREQUENT RECURRENCE OF GENITAL HERPES

Objectives: This paper reports on the cross sectional data from the lo ngitudinal study examining the impact of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection on quality of life. In particular the report sought to study the relation between recurrence of genital HSV and coping style , mood, personality, and quality of life, among other factors. Setting and subjects: 116 patients with a known history of genital herpes sim plex infection attending the Department of Genitourinary Medicine at C helsea and Westminster Hospital. Methods: Psychosocial factors (stress , anxiety, depression, health locus of control, personality, social su pport, coping skills, and quality of life) and the reported frequency of genital herpes episodes were measured using self administered quest ionnaires designed to examine the relation between psychosocial status and the frequency of genital HSV episodes. Results: The number of rec urrences reported by patients was significantly related to the style o f coping skills used. Higher recurrences were less likely to use probl em focused coping skills of planning and active coping, and the emotio n focused coping skills of positive reinterpretation and growth. There was a significant difference in the number of patients who believed t hat psychological stress was related to the number of recurrences they experienced. This belief was related to neuroticism on the Eysenck Pe rsonality Questionnaire scale, and not to any of the other measures in vestigated. Conclusion: The findings suggest that it is the way indivi duals cope, and their personality characteristics rather than actual l evels of psychological stress, that influence their belief in a link b etween recurrent genital HSV and stress. HSV may become the focus of e xisting concerns and be viewed as the physical manifestation of stress .