Daily events and mood state among individuals living with HIV: examination of the within-persons approach to data collection using daily diary methodology.
Studies examining the link between stressful events and coping with HIV have relied on a between-persons approach focusing on how individuals differ on some characteristics. Although the between-subjects approach has yielded important information, our goal was to use a within-persons approach, making repeated measurements of the same persons over many days, to examine the impact of changing circumstances on the mood states of those with HIV. A second goal was to determine if asking participants to report their daily experiences via a computerized interactive voice system is a viable way to collect such information. This study collected a variety of trait measures for seven HIV patients and subsequently used a computerized telephone system to collect information regarding daily events and mood states over 21 consecutive days. Several daily measures, including self-esteem, optimism, and positive social interactions were significantly related to daily mood states. Trait measures, with the exception of symptom distress, were ineffective in predicting variations in daily mood states. It was concluded that a computerized telephone system is a viable means of collecting information from HIV patients on a daily basis and within-persons methodology may provide useful information about daily events affecting mood states beyond that generated by a between-persons approach.
Janda
Louis H
LH
Psychology Department, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23523-0267, USA. ljanda@odu.edu
Markowski
Edward
E
Derlega
Valerian J
VJ
Nezlek
John
J
McCain
Nancy
N
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012107:Research Design; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014956:Writing