title: Stress, coping, HIV status, psychosocial resources, and depressive mood in African American gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men.
abstract: The associations between stress, physical health, psychosocial resources, coping, and depressive mood were examined in a community sample of African American gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men (N = 139). Data were collected from physical exams and in-person interviews. In our theoretical framework, depressive mood scores were regressed first on stressors, next on psychosocial resources, and finally on coping strategy variables. Results revealed that psychosocial resources mediate the effects of stressors, including health symptoms, hassles, and life events, on depressive mood. There were no significant differences in depressive mood associated with HIV status or sexual orientation. Results are discussed in terms of community interventions needed to provide social support as a buffer between stress and psychological distress in African American men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30303, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Folkman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bakeman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012067:Religion; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology