title: HIV-illness, social support, sense of coherence, and psychosocial well-being in a sample of help-seeking adults.
abstract: This study tests a set of hypotheses that predict self-esteem and anxiety in adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The analysis is motivated by the following question: Is the level of perceived coherence, i.e., the extent to which individuals derive meaning and purpose in their lives despite their HIV-illness, related to their levels of self-esteem and anxiety? Data were obtained from one of three HIV care and referral centers in the Midsouth. The results demonstrate that clients who experienced a greater sense of derived meaning and purpose (perceived coherence) from their situations and those with more confidants (social support) reported higher self-esteem and lower anxiety than other HIV-infected adults seeking counseling and maintenance services. Implications are drawn for strategies to meet HIV-related mental health care needs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Tennessee State University, Nashville 37203.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Linn
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Kimbrough
mesh_terms: D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000523:psychology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support