title: The psychosocial impact of HIV infection in women.
abstract: The aim of the investigation was to study the prevalence of current and past psychiatric morbidity and psychosocial problems in HIV seropositive (HIV +ve) asymptomatic women. A cross-sectional controlled study including 57 HIV +ve women belonging to CDC group II and III (43 intravenous drug users and 14 non-IVDUs heterosexuals) and 23 HIV -ve women (15 intravenous drug users and 8 non-IVDUs heterosexuals) is reported. Outcome measures included, past psychiatric history, current psychological status (Zung Anxiety and Depression scales, Symptom Check List 90-Revised), Social Supports and Locus of Control Scales, and information on changes in work, social and sexual life after HIV testing. Results showed that HIV +ve women differed very little from HIV -ve controls regarding outcome measures and indeed for some variables HIV infected women had lower levels of psychological morbidity. Multiple regression analyses showed that alcohol misuse and a predominantly external locus of control accounted for the 29% of the variance of psychiatric distress (F = 9.23, p < 0.0006). The implications of the findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School (University of London), U.K.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pergami
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gala
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Durbano
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zanello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riccio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Invernizzi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Catalan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012803:Sick Role; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology