Carrie Millon

Active coping style is associated with natural killer cell cytotoxicity in asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive homosexual men

The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that a psychosocial model was associated with natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) in HIV-1 infection. A sample of 62 HIV-1 seropositive homosexual men at CDC stages II and III were given a psychosocial battery assessing life stressors, social support, and coping style. A regression model quantifying these variables along with control variables for alcohol use, substance use and nutritional status was estimated. Active coping style was directly and positively associated with NKCC, and trends toward a negative relationship of life stressors and a buffering effect of social support on lives stressors were also observed. The results suggest that (1) control variables should be included with psychosocial models and that (2) psychosocial factors, especially active coping, may have a deterrent effect on loss of NK cell function. Active coping style may merit a specific focus in future research of life stressors and the immune system.

A stress-moderator model of distress in early HIV-1 infection: Concurrent analysis of life events, hardiness and social support

A stress moderator framework was employed to investigate the relationship of negative life events, hardiness and social support to psychological distress among 67 asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive gay males. Both main effects and stress moderator (interaction) models were evaluated. Main effects were found for negative life events and social support but not hardiness (either as commitment or overall hardiness); no moderator effects emerged. Results were the same whether events were quantified as negative impact or as number of events, and were in the predicted direction--life events associated with greater distress, social support with less distress. The present study replicates for early HIV-1 infection findings obtained in non-HIV-infected samples about the influence on psychological distress of negative life events and social support. Methodological limitations, possible explanations for the absence of stress moderator effects, and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

A psychological assessment of chronic fatigue syndrome/chronic epstein-barr virus patients

Abstract Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), the current name for a malady most recently known as Chronic Epstein Barr Virus (CEBV), is a medical puzzle that now is a focus of intense research interest. Although the literature is sparse and studies are either anecdotal or based on small samples, psychological and psychiatric symtoms are frequently reported for patients with symptoms suggestive of CFS/CEBV. Cognitive impairment in this population has been frequently noted but has also received little systematic attention in CFS/CEBV research. Consequently, the aim of this study was twofold: (1) to broaden understanding of the psychological aspects of CFS/CEBV, including cognition, and (2) to place this understanding on a firmer empirical basis by use of a more comprehensive battery and a larger sample than typifies previous research. Twenty-four subjects exhibiting both serological profile and clinical symptomatology indicative of CEBV/CFS infection were investigated. Multiple measures were employed to tap per...

A psychosocial model of distress over time in early hiv-1 infection: The role of life stressors, social support and coping

Abstract This study tested whether a psychosocial model-consisting of life event stressors, social support and coping strategy-was associated with distress over time in 40 homosexual men with asymptomatic HIV-1 infection. With prior distress controlled, changes in distress were associated with changes in negatively rated life events and social support (replicating our cross-sectional findings) and with coping strategy (disengagement/denial, venting emotions and religion). Stringent tests that ruled out spurious moderator effects yielded significant stress moderator interactions for social support and active coping, as well as evidence for nonlinear relationships for both main effects and interactions. These findings confirm that the psychosocial model is associated with distress over time during asymptomatic HIV-1 infection. The model thus provides a framework for screening to identify patients who would benefit from clinical interventions while simultaneously identifying the areas most needing intervention.

Emotional distress, stress-related disruption and coping among healthy HIV-positive gay males

Abstract Although emotional distress is extensive both when HIV seropositivity is first determined and during symptomatic stages of the infection, it is not known if distress also characterizes the often lengthy asymptomatic period. To ascertain if it does, a sample (N=45) of asymptomatic HIV seropositive gay males was assessed on emotional distress, stressors, and coping styles. Data were compared with available normative data as well as with a small control sample (N=13) of seronegative gay males. On emotional distress indices, the majority of seropositive participants scored below the norms for psychiatric patient groups, resembling more the norms for non-patients, although there was a distressed subset. Despite evidence of considerable event-related stress, the moderate levels of currently-perceived stress among the seropositives indicated that as a whole they were not feeling overwhelmed. Coping styles did not appear to be disrupted in that they were nearly identical to normative data. In comparison ...

Ethnicity, Emotional Distress, Stress-Related Disruption, and Coping among HIV Seropositive Gay Males

Differences in psychosocial factors that impact immune function and which, therefore, are relevant to HIV infection have been reported between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites in the cross-cultural literature. To determine whether there were differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white HIV-seropositive homosexual males on life stressors, coping style, social support, and emotional distress, a sample (Hispanics = 27, non-Hispanic whites = 49) of participants in a five-year longitudinal study of HIV disease progression was assessed on relevant measures. Hispanics in this sample were not found to evidence psychosocial deficits as compared to non-Hispanic whites. Although not more stressed overall, Hispanics reportedhigher severity of stress on daily interactions related to their homosexual lifestyle than did their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Level ofacculturation isproposedas apossible explanation forthe striking similarities along most other psychosocial parameters.