Abstract

The HIV pandemic is in its second decade of existence. HIV has distinguished itself by effecting every part of the globe. It is estimated that there are currently over 40 million people living with HIV or AIDS diagnoses in the world today. Great strides have been made in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. Combination therapy of drugs has been shown to keep viral replication at very low levels. The result of drug therapies has resulted in keeping persons with HIV from progression to full blown AIDS. Also, drug therapies are responsible for a significant drop in mortality rates from AIDS. However, persons with AIDS have a second medical issue that must be addressed, specifically the rebuilding of immune system. Both HIV and AIDS have a variable course in disease progression. The field of Psychoneuroimmunology proposes a mechanism by which psychosocial variables could impact immune function and may serve to exacerbate or be protective of disease.

The present study assessed the psychosocial variables (depression, stress and negative explanatory style) which research has shown to effect immune status. However, this study differs from other studies in that Hierarchical Linear Regression will be used to assess immune function as a mediating factor between psychosocial variables and survival. The mediational model was not supported. Results indicate that psychosocial variables did not impact survival through the immune system in this sample of persons with HIV and AIDS. Only measures of immunity were shown to impact survival.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Kiti Freier

Second Advisor

Hector Betancourt

Third Advisor

Arie Cohen

Fourth Advisor

John V. Flowers

Fifth Advisor

Matt Riggs

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2002

Date (Title Page)

12-2002

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome -- psychology; HIV Infections -- psychology; Attitude to Health; Psychoneuroimmunology.

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

vii; 57

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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