The influence of life stress, personality, and learning history on illness behavior

Previous research has suggested that prior learning experiences and current reinforcement contingencies account for a substantial portion of the variance in illness behaviors. The present study examined the role of other variables (e.g., stimulus and organismic variables). Two hundred and sixty four college students completed questionnaires that included the Life Events Survey, Hassles Scale, Hypochondriasis Scale (MMPI), Illness Attitude Scale, and a Medical Problems Survey. It emerged that social learning variables accounted for significant portions of variance in symptom reporting behavior even after other demographic, current stressor, and personality variables were accounted for. The advantages of using behavioral assessment models for conceptualizing influential variables is highlighted and directions for future research discussed.