Precursive depression among HIV infected AIDS caregivers over time.
This study examines depression among HIV infected AIDS caregivers, documenting and explaining variation in health within a stress proliferation framework. Longitudinal data for 376 HIV- and HIV+ caregiving men who self-identify as gay are analyzed to establish how changes in depression are influenced by care-related stressors and by being a member of the gay, HIV-affected community. This research identifies the mechanisms by which the caregiver stress process unfolds distinctively among caregivers with AIDS-related health problems, in comparison to HIV- caregivers. Three waves of data are analyzed using longitudinal multiple regression models. Among HIV infected caregivers, mental health is affected by deteriorating health, perceptions of AIDS alienation/stigma, internalized homophobia, role overload, and financial worry. For both groups, depression is a function of social constriction and AIDS-related bereavement. The precursive nature of caregiving among these HIV infected men may magnify the stress of being in poor health, gay, and stigmatized.
Wight
R G
RG
Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles 90095-1772, USA. rwight@ucla.edu
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012495:San Francisco; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology