title: Health-related Internet use, coping, social support, and health indicators in people living with HIV/AIDS: preliminary results from a community survey.
abstract: Widespread Internet use has revolutionized health information and patient education for persons with chronic illnesses. The authors surveyed 147 HIV-positive persons to examine factors associated with Internet use and associations between Internet use and health. Information, motivation, and behavioral skills associated with using the Internet were related to Internet use. The authors found that health-related Internet use was associated with HIV disease knowledge, active coping, information seeking coping, and social support among persons who were using the Internet. These preliminary findings suggest an association between using the Internet for health-related information and health benefits among people living with HIV/AIDS, supporting the development of interventions to close the digital divide in HIV/AIDS care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs 06269-1020, USA. sethk@uconn.edu
authors.forename: Seth C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kalichman
authors.forename: Eric G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Benotsch
authors.forename: Lance
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weinhardt
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Webster
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luke
authors.forename: Chauncey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cherry
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support