“…Positive illusions were documented by Taylor and her colleagues in adults living with breast cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and heart disease (e.g., Helgeson & Taylor, 1993;Taylor & Armor, 1996;Taylor et al, 1984;Taylor, Kemeny, Reed, Bower, & Gruenewald, 2000;Updegraff, Taylor, Kemeny, & Wyatt, 2002), and have subsequently been documented in adults living with other stressful conditions, including disease, injury, sexual abuse, and war (Eva, Paley, Miller, & Wee, 2009;Himelein & McElrath, 1996;Johnson, 2004;Kenen, Arden-Jones, & Eeles, 2004). These illusions are also theorized to protect against threats to the individual's usual positive self-assessment and sense of control, and promote active and effective coping (Taylor & Armor, 1996).…”