longer reportedly expected that more life adjustment would be

required to cope with the disease than did those whose sur-

vival was shorter. The findings from studies of individuals

with terminal illness suggest that longer survival is asso-

ciated with maintaining good social relationships, being re-

ceptive to support, accepting the reality of the illness, and

with a higher social class. In addition, other findings

indicate that longer survivors are those with more emotional

distress, poorer adjustment, and more negative attitudes

towards physicians.

 On the other hand, individuals with shorter survival or

an unfavorable outcome otherwise, include patients who

responded to the diagnosis with a lack of concern or reduced

emotional reactivity in general. Patients with shorter

survival have also been described as having an attitude of

helplessness, apathy, hopelessness, and depression during the

terminal phase of the illness. Shorter survival is also

associated with poor social relationships and low socio-

economic status.

 In spite of the apparent trend in these associations,

 such findings should be interpreted with caution. This is

 supported by the findings of a very recent report of a large

 ( N = 359) prospective investigation conducted by Cassileth,

 Lusk, Miller, Brown, & Miller (1985). Their work does not

 support the idea of a relationship between psychosocial