AIDS and the virus that causes it have challenged the world's scientists, health care systems, and public health policies as much or more than any medical problem in recorded history. Perhaps this is so because this particular infirmity constitutes more than a merely medical problem: it is enmeshed in psychological, social, cultural, political, and economic contexts. This book examines the need for pragmatic and research-based suggestions on how to address some important problems related to these contexts. Although much basic research in virology and immunology can be accomplished within the biomedical domain, biobehavioral disciplines such as behavioral medicine offer more opportunities for the comprehensive approach necessary to confront the AIDS/HIV problem. The editors of this groundbreaking volume suggest that the very nature of this constantly evolving problem encourages an approach to research and intervention/prevention efforts that emphasizes flexibility of response to changing knowledge, patterns of the pandemic, new treatments, and shifts in public opinion and behavior. A major triumph in dealing with this phenomenon would include a bridging of the gap between research and applied efforts, which has been the largest obstacle for progress to date. In this book, such previously uncharted territory is explored, opening a host of new possibilities for dealing with the very real threat of AIDS.

Emotional Expression and Health looks at the role emotional expression and inhibition may play in staying healthy or falling ill. Written by leading experts in the field, chapters focus on: * how we can measure emotional expression or inhibition and how we can distinguish between their various facets * the role of attachment, and development of emotional information processing * alexithymia, emotional suppression, deception, emotional disclosure, defensiveness, repression, psychological mindedness, and emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. This unique approach will be of interest to all those in the fields of health and medical psychology and psychiatry, and behavioural medicine, as well as professionals working with patients in whom emotional expression or inhibition may play a role in a disease's etiology, course, or prognosis.

The authors are to be commended for producing a single volume which draws together cutting edge research on the psychology of emotional expression and health -o Dr. Alan Carr, University College Dublin, Ireland This book is a gem...it is an outstanding work with a focus on an ever-expanding field of research and practice -o Michael Boulton, Keele University Emotional Expression and Health covers the major themes that are important for gaining insight into the role of emotional expression and inhibition may play in staying healthy or falling ill. Written by leading experts in the field, chapters rely on thorough theory building and empirical research. They focus on how we can measure emotional expression or inhibition and how we can distinguish between their various facets, as well as the role of attachment and the development of emotional information processing. Additional topics include Alexithymia, emotional suppression, deception, emotional disclosure, defensiveness, repression, psychological mindedness, emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. This unique approach will be of interest to all those in the fields of health and medical psychology and psychiatry, and behavioral medicine, as well as professionals working with patients in which diseases, emotional expression or inhibition may play a role in its etiology, course or prognosis.