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      Psychological resources, positive illusions, and health.

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          Abstract

          Psychological beliefs such as optimism, personal control, and a sense of meaning are known to be protective of mental health. Are they protective of physical health as well? The authors present a program of research that has tested the implications of cognitive adaptation theory and research on positive illusions for the relation of positive beliefs to disease progression among men infected with HIV. The investigations have revealed that even unrealistically optimistic beliefs about the future may be health protective. The ability to find meaning in the experience is also associated with a less rapid course of illness. Taken together, the research suggests that psychological beliefs such as meaning, control, and optimism act as resources, which may not only preserve mental health in the context of traumatic or life-threatening events but be protective of physical health as well.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Am Psychol
          The American psychologist
          0003-066X
          0003-066X
          Jan 2000
          : 55
          : 1
          Affiliations
          [1 ] Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1563, USA. taylors@psych.ucla.edu
          Article
          10.1037/0003-066X.55.l.99
          11392870
          03a85890-66bb-4a9e-8399-29b185c50da2
          History

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