The emotional reactions of HIV antibody positive men.
This study was concerned with the emotional reaction of men who are HIV antibody positive, and with whether their expression of enjoyment is better viewed as the result of rigid defending or flexible coping. A sample of these men was matched with samples of patients with other major illnesses and well controls. Enjoyment was found to be more frequently expressed in the two ill samples, as were anxiety, depression and helplessness. The HIV antibody positive patients expressed more anger, and yet more competence, than the other patients. These patterns of emotional reaction proved to be modified by different levels of enjoyment in a manner more indicative of coping than defending, because depressive emotions appeared to be reduced when some enjoyment of life was apparent. The implications of these findings for health professionals working with people who are HIV antibody positive are discussed.
Viney
L L
LL
Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Henry
R
R
Walker
B M
BM
Crooks
L
L
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012803:Sick Role