Psychological well-being of gay men with AIDS: contribution of positive and negative illness-related network interactions to depressive mood.
While the positive functions of social network interactions in ameliorating the effects of life stress are widely documented and acknowledged, a growing body of research investigations has demonstrated that social relationships can concurrently be a source of stress and that actions intended to be supportive may instead be experienced as psychologically disturbing. Data from a study of the social support experiences of gay men diagnosed with AIDS were examined to determine the contribution to the men's depressive mood of positive and negative network interactions (n = 83). Although the results are consistent with the social support literature regarding the beneficial effect of positive network interactions for seriously-ill individuals, the findings also indicate that negative illness-related network interactions are associated with decreases in depressive mood, as indicated by scores on the Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (CES-D). The findings also demonstrate the additive effects of positive and negative network interactions and clearly point out the value of investigating the complexity and multiple functions of social interactions.
Siegel
K
K
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.
Raveis
V H
VH
Karus
D
D
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support