Psychological symptoms among persons 50 years of age and older living with HIV disease.
Although persons 50 years of age and older account for 10% of all US AIDS cases, the mental health needs of this growing group remain largely overlooked. The current study delineated patterns and predictors of psychological symptoms amongst late middle-aged and older adults living with HIV/AIDS in two large US cities. In late 1998, 83 HIV-infected individuals 50-plus years of age (M = 55.2, Range = 50-69) completed self-report surveys eliciting data on psychological symptomatology, HIV-related life-stressor burden, social support, barriers to health care and social services, and sociodemographic characteristics. Based on the Beck Depression Inventory, 25% of participants reported 'moderate' or 'severe' levels of depression. HIV-infected older adults also evidenced an elevated number of symptoms characteristic of somatization. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that HIV-infected older adults who endorsed more psychological symptoms also reported more HIV-related life-stressor burden, less support from friends, and reduced access to health care and social services due to AIDS-related stigma. As the impact of HIV on older communities continues to increase, geropractitioners must be prepared to provide care to greater numbers of HIV-infected older adults, a substantial minority of whom will present with complex comorbid physical and mental health conditions.
Heckman
T G
TG
Ohio University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Athens, OH 45701, USA. heckmant@ohiou.edu
Heckman
B D
BD
Kochman
A
A
Sikkema
K J
KJ
Suhr
J
J
Goodkin
K
K
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological