The overall objective of this study is to explore psychosocial processes as possible cofactors in the development of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in an at-risk population. The specific objectives are: 1) to understand how individuals appraise, respond emotionally to and cope with the risk of developing AIDS, 2) to determine if particular psychological responses to the risk of AIDS are associated with the practice of AIDS risk-reducing behaviors, 3) to determine if particular psychological responses to the risk of AIDS are associated with changes in the immune system (rapid reductions in helper/inducer T cell levels, and altered immune response to the AIDS virus) and increased likelihood of developing AIDS and 4) to determine if exposure to stressful life situations and particular psychological responses to these situations, are associated with immune changes and increased likelihood of developing AIDS. Fifteen hundred healthy homosexual men are now participating in the Multi-Center AIDS Cooperative Study (MACS). These men are examined every six months for signs and symptoms of AIDS and the AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), seropositivity for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), specimen collection and assay of T cell sub-populations, and the gathering of data on potential cofactors in the development of AIDS. The proposed study will add the questionnaire assessment of psychosocial factors (appraisal and response to AIDS risk, other life stress, affect, social support, personal resources) to the examination every six months. A sub-sample of two hundred subjects will participate in a psychological assessment interview at each MACS examination to assess more fully emotional responses and coping strategies used in relation to the AIDS risk and other stressful situations. Intensive immunological assessments will be conducted on this sub-sample. Data analyses will determine whether psychological factors predict the practice of risk-reducing behaviors in HIV seropositive and seronegative subjects. In HIV seropositive individuals, data analyses will determine whether psychosocial factors, in conjunction with other possible cofactors, predict changes in immune response over time and the development of ARC and AIDS.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH042918-06
Application #
3382329
Study Section
MH Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Research Review Committee (MHAZ)
Project Start
1987-07-01
Project End
1995-06-30
Budget Start
1992-08-01
Budget End
1993-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
119132785
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
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Reed, G M; Kemeny, M E; Taylor, S E et al. (1999) Negative HIV-specific expectancies and AIDS-related bereavement as predictors of symptom onset in asymptomatic HIV-positive gay men. Health Psychol 18:354-63
Bower, J E; Kemeny, M E; Taylor, S E et al. (1998) Cognitive processing, discovery of meaning, CD4 decline, and AIDS-related mortality among bereaved HIV-seropositive men. J Consult Clin Psychol 66:979-86
Miller, G E; Kemeny, M E; Taylor, S E et al. (1997) Social relationships and immune processes in HIV seropositive gay and bisexual men. Ann Behav Med 19:139-51
Cole, S W; Kemeny, M E; Taylor, S E (1997) Social identity and physical health: accelerated HIV progression in rejection-sensitive gay men. J Pers Soc Psychol 72:320-35
Cole, S W; Kemeny, M E; Taylor, S E et al. (1996) Accelerated course of human immunodeficiency virus infection in gay men who conceal their homosexual identity. Psychosom Med 58:219-31
Taylor, S E; Armor, D A (1996) Positive illusions and coping with adversity. J Pers 64:873-98

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