Levy, I.; (2005) The relationship between personality, cognitive schemas, and the quality of life in HIV positive gay men. Doctoral thesis , University of London.

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Abstract

Part I of this thesis, reviews research pertaining to quality of life and personality in HIV. Conceptual and methodological issues, which hinder research into quality of life and personality, are discussed. The review notes the lack of research into personality and HIV beyond prevention, and the need to investigate personality beyond neuroticism and extraversion. The review concludes that further replication of the reported associations between personality and quality of life in HIV is required. Studies that consider clinical directions and potential interventions are needed. The empirical paper presents a cross-sectional, questionnaire, study looking at the relationships between personality, quality of life, and cognitive schemas, in HIV positive gay men. The study found that HIV is associated with poorer quality of life. Higher levels of neuroticism, and lower levels of extraversion, were found in the HIV positive group compared with the HIV negative group. Neuroticism and extraversion significantly predicted quality of life, and significant correlations were found between cognitive schemas and quality of life. Factor analyses of the Schema Questionnaire suggest problems with the measure. Results of the study are discussed with regard to future studies, and clinical implications. The final part of the thesis is a reflective paper. It begins with a presentation of the processes leading to the conception of the research, and a discussion of clinical experiences that have informed and impacted on this process. An extended discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the research is presented, followed by a consideration of the clinical and scientific implications of the research. In the final sections of the paper, the author reflects on how the research has shaped her clinical understanding, and the methodological lessons learned.

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