[The process of adaptation to illness in persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]

This study was conducted to describe the adaptation process to illness. The study subjects were 50 AIDS patients. The study variables and tools of measurement were chosen according to the Psychosocial Adaptation Model of Craig and Edwards (1983). It was found that throughout the disease process an appraisal-reappraisal of the situation is continuous. The sick person constantly evaluated the severity of his losses and the availability of the coping strategies at his disposal. The study results demonstrated that persons afflicted with AIDS suffer considerable amount of physical and psychosocial prejudice. It was apparent that the patients who suffered severe physical, psychological and social losses used avoidance strategies. Those preoccupied with the physical losses had a tendency to use the strategy of emotional discharge. Otherwise the study subjects sought information rather than emotional discharge to come to terms with their losses. In addition, the use of logical analysis strategies was associated with an increase in psychological well-being. In contrast, the strategy of avoidance was associated with a decrease in well-being. Finally, the subjects with the advanced disease experienced more severe losses of a social nature and made less use of logical analysis strategies than did subjects in the early phases of the disease.