Expression and processing of emotions: Relationships with cd4+ levels in 42 hiv-positive asymptomatic individuals

• Published in: Psychology & health Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 689 - 698
• Main Authors: Solano, Luigi, Montella, F., Salvati, Simonetta, Disora, Fiorella, Murgia, Federica, Figà-Talamanca, Lucia, Zoppi, Luis A, Lauria, Filippo, Coda, Rosamaria, Nicotra, Manuela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.11.2001
• Subjects: emotional processing; Expression of emotions; Gottschalk-Gleser method; HIV-1; immune function; referential activity
• ISSN: 0887-0446; 1476-8321
• DOI: 10.1080/08870440108405867

Background: The study investigated the relationship between CD4+ levels and two emotion-related measures, one of expressed emotion (Hostility directed Inwards, Hdl) and one of capacity for emotional processing (Referential Activity, RA). Method42 HIV-1 positive asymptomatic subjects, under AZT treatment, underwent CD4+ assessment immediately after a brief interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using the Gottschalk-Gleser and Referential Activity scales. Of the Gottschalk-Gleser scales, only Hdl was considered. ResultsAs hypothesized, the regression of emotion-related scores on CD4 + levels showed a curvilinearrelationship with Hdl scores, and a linearrelationship with RA scores. Subjects with the best immune status therefore showed intermediate levels of expressed emotion and a high capacity for emotional processing. ConclusionThe findings support the usefulness of working through, rather than releasing emotion. Previous negative findings in the field might be explained by the unjustified assumption of linear relationships between expressed emotion and health.