evaluated and included as independent variables. The charac-

teristics used as independent variables consisted of the 13

vulnerability scales of the Index of Vulnerability, total

vulnerability, three clusters of vulnerability scales, three

structural indices of social support, and socioeconomic

status. The matrix of intercorrelations of psychosocial

variables is included as Table 52, Appendix G. Also, the

disease variable co-morbidity was included in this part of

the analysis and related findings are reported in this sec-

tion. The dependent variable was the survival quotient, a

value which reflected longer or shorter than expected

survival.

Descriptive study

 Descriptive statistics for the 13 scales of the Index

of Vulnerability are presented in Table 19. The ratings on

these scales for the 30 individuals in the sample reflected

greatest variation among the individuals in terms of turmoil,

frustration, and depression, and least differences in terms

of hopelessness and denial. The scales with the highest mean

values were powerlessness, anxiety, and exhaustion. Those

with the lowest mean values were worthlessness and repudia-

tion of key others. Values of total vulnerability, which was

the sum of the 13 items, ranged from 16.5 to 38.5 with a mean

of 27.07 and a standard deviation of 5.96.