Ray.Manley@f9.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Ray Manley) (02/03/90)
Hypotheses about Factors Contributing to Longer Aids Survival Generated by Consultant Group of Long-Surviving Men with AIDS And the UCSF-Biophychosocial AIDS Project* 1. Acceptance of the reality of the diagnosis of AIDS in conjunction with refusal to perceive the condition as a death sentence, at least an imminent one. 2. Perceiving the treating physician as a collaborator, not acting in a passive-compliant (nor defiant) mode. 3. A commitment to life in terms of "unfinished business," unmet goals, or as-yet unfulfilled experiences and wishes. 4. A sense of personal responsibility for and ability to influence one's health. 5. A sense of meaningfulness and purpose in life. 6. A prior mastered experience with a life-threatening illness or very serious life event. 7. A spiritual sense of feeling of something beyond the self. 8. Useful information from and supportive contact with a person with AIDS shortly following diagnosis. 9. Assertiveness and the ability to say "no." 10. A sense of humor. 11. A personalized means of active coping that is believed to have beneficial health effects. 12. Acceptance of homosexuality and lack of perception of AIDS as "punishment." 13. Altered lifestyle to accommodate disease in an adaptive way. 14. Altruistic involvement with persons with AIDS. 15. Ability to communicate openly, including about illness concerns. 16. Ability to withdraw from involvements and "nurture" oneself. 17. Finding new meaning as a result of the disease itself. 18. Sensitivity to one's own body, and to bodily/psychological needs. 19. Physical fitness, and participation in exercise. 20. Taking "responsibility" to enjoy life. 21. Perceiving one's current life as more than a state of illness. ____________________________________________________ * For more information, contact: Dr. Lydia Temoshok, Langley Porter Psychiatric institute Box F, 401 Parnassus, San Francisco, CA 94143-0984. Phone: (415) 476-7518 -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!125!9!Ray.Manley Internet: Ray.Manley@f9.n125.z1.fidonet.org