Counterfactuals and their role for the well-being of HIV+ individuals

In the Western world HIV infections are oftentimes aqcuired through unprotected sexual intercourse. In retrospect, this behavior in oftentimes viewed as highly controllable by the individual and has therefore the potential to elicit substantial regrets and counterfactuals thoughts. The present project aims to examine the structure of these thoughts and their effects on future behavior. We also examine additional variables like personality traits and general health-related cognition in this context.

Main project

This project is part of project "A functional approach to counterfactual thoughts".

Researchers and partners

Behavioural and Social Sciences, Psychology

• dr. K. (Kai) Epstude , Social Psychology

Partners outside of the University of Groningen

• Kai J. Jonas (Maastricht University)

Results

Publications

• Epstude, K., & Jonas, K. J. (2015). Regret and counterfactual thinking in the face of inevitability: The case of HIV positive men. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 6, 157-163.

Successful grant proposals and other achievements

• Two grants from the AIDS fonds Nederland to examine the research question in a population of Dutch HIV+ individuals, and a representative sample of the general Dutch population

University's focus areas

• Healthy Ageing