OPTIMISM, SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS, AND COPING WITH AIDS AND CANCER

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

OPTIMISM, SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS, AND COPING WITH AIDS AND CANCER

Diss Abstr Int [B]; 52(4):2316 1991. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/92679144
Smith KG; Pacific Graduate Sch. of Psychology

Abstract: Group differences in coping strategies among patients (pts) with chronic, uncontrollable physical disorders were found in Study 1. Iv drug users with AIDS, gay men with AIDS, and advanced-stage cancer pts were all given a multidimensional coping scale (COPE) to assess group differences on fifteen coping strategies. Overall, significant differences were found between the 3 pt groups on two coping strategies related to so-called maladaptive coping (Mental Disengagement, Focus on and Venting of Emotions), and two related to experimental coping scales (Alcohol/Drug Use, Humor). Group differences were not found for coping strategies related to problem-focused or emotion-focused coping. Measures of self-consciousness (private, public) and optimism were given to the same pt populations. Influences of these personality dimensions on fifteen coping strategies were examined in Study 2. By entering public self-consciousness into the equation first as a covariate, hierarchical regression analyses of optimism, private self-consciousness, and the interaction of optimism x private self-consciousness revealed significant predictions for twelve of the fifteen coping scales. Using private self-consciousness as a covariate, hierarchical regression analyses applied to optimism, public self-consciousness, and the interaction of optimism x public self-consciousness revealed significant predictions for eleven coping scales. Using optimism as a covariate, hierarchical regression analyses of private self-consciousness, public self-consciousness and the interaction of private self-consciousness x public self-consciousness revealed significant predictions for twelve of the fifteen coping scales. Overall, simultaneous predictions of optimism and self-consciousness (private, public) were found for four of the coping scales. Implications for coping theory, control theory, and future clinical research are discussed. (All degree requirements completed in 1990, but degree will be granted in 1992. Full text available from University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, MI, as Order No. AAD91-25997).

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PSYCHOLOGY *Adaptation, Psychological Consciousness Human Neoplasms/*PSYCHOLOGY Regression Analysis THESIS
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