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Optimistic explanatory style and dispositional optimism in HIV-infected men
J Tomakowsky1, M A Lumley, N Markowitz
1Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, 71 West Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|October 12, 2001
Summary
Optimistic explanatory style predicts worse immune status in men with HIV, while dispositional optimism shows no effect. Both optimism types correlate with fewer symptoms, but explanatory style predicts immune decline over time.
Area of Science:
- Psychology and Immunology
- Health Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Optimism is studied for its impact on health outcomes.
- Two distinct optimism measures exist: explanatory style and dispositional optimism.
- Understanding optimism's role in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between two optimism types and health in HIV-infected men.
- To assess optimism's association with HIV symptoms and immune status (CD4 counts).
- To investigate optimism's predictive value for immune status changes over time.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional and 2-year prospective study of 78 HIV-infected men.
- Assessed Peterson and Seligman's optimistic explanatory style and Scheier and Carver's dispositional optimism.
- Controlled for demographic, clinical, and treatment variables; analyzed CD4 count changes.
Main Results:
- Optimistic explanatory style predicted greater decline in CD4 counts over 2 years.
- Both optimism types correlated with fewer HIV symptoms cross-sectionally.
- Dispositional optimism was not associated with CD4 counts; explanatory style linked to poorer immune status.
Conclusions:
- Optimism measures assess different constructs.
- Optimistic explanatory style predicts immune decline in HIV-infected men, potentially due to unique life stressors.
- While both optimism types relate to subjective health, explanatory style has long-term immune implications.