Self-care, psychological distress, and HIV disease.
Self-care behaviors may be positive (healthy) or negative (unhealthy). Many factors may influence whether individuals choose healthy or unhealthy self-care behaviors. This study examined the relationships of perceived impact of HIV status, distress, and subsequent changes in self-care activities among men and women who were at risk for or infected with HIV. Significant findings included a positive correlation between the number of symptoms experienced and both depression and change toward unhealthy self-care behaviors. The impact of event avoidance and depression were associated with changes to unhealthy self-care behaviors, although hopelessness was associated with fewer unhealthy changes.
Valente
S M
SM
University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Saunders
J M
JM
Uman
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes