Health Psychology : a Textbook

of their own death dying earlier. Therefore, psychological state may also relate to

longevity.

Conclusion

The study of HIV and AIDS illustrates the role of psychology at different stages of an

illness. Psychological factors are important not only for attitudes and beliefs about HIV

and the resulting behaviour, but may also be involved in an individual’s susceptibility to

contracting the virus, the replication of the virus once it has been contracted and their

subsequent longevity.

FOCUS ON RESEARCH 14.1: TESTING A THEORY –

PSYCHOLOGY AND IMMUNE FUNCTIONING

A study to examine the role of psychosocial factors such as coping style, life

stress and social support on immune functioning in HIV homosexual men

(Goodkin et al. 1992).

This study examined the relationship between psychosocial factors and the physical

health of HIV+ men. Models of the relationship between psychological factors and

physical health suggest that the link between psychology and health may be via

behaviour change (e.g. feeling stressed increases smoking behaviour) and/or via direct

physiological changes (e.g. feeling stressed causes a release of stress hormones). This

study is based on the belief that psychological variables such as coping style, stress

and social support may influence health and illness directly through changes in the

individual’s physiology (their immune system) regardless of behaviour.

Background

Research has suggested that psychosocial factors may be associated with changes

in natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC), which is an important defence against

infections and cancer growth. For example, lowered NKCC has been shown in medical

students under stress, bereaved individuals, and those with major depressive disorder.

In addition, research has suggested that social support, active coping style and joy

may be related to changes in NKCC in patients with breast cancer. Although, the

research into NKCC in still in its early stages and is somewhat controversial, Goodkin

et al. (1992) aimed to examine the relationship between psychosocial factors and NKCC

in HIV+ men.

Methodology

Subjects Sixty-two asymptomatic HIV+ homosexual men from Miami volunteered for

the study. They were recruited from the University of Miami School of Medicine Clinical

Research Unit, community-based HIV-related service agencies, community physicians,

336 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY