Stress and transtheoretical model indicators of stress management behaviors in HIV-positive women.
OBJECTIVE
Women are particularly prone to stress with respect to living with HIV. Stress management behaviors can mediate the stress response and improve health outcomes in HIV-positive individuals. The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to examine stress and Transtheoretical Model (TTM) indicators of stress management behaviors in HIV-positive women.


METHODS
126 HIV-positive women recruited from diverse HIV-care clinics in northeast Ohio completed standardized self-report research instruments to measure stress, stress management behaviors, stage of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance (pros and cons).


RESULTS
Women reported higher levels of stress in the later phase of HIV infection (P<.05). Highly stressed women in this study reported infrequently using stress management behaviors and a low level of perceived efficacy to manage stress although they perceived the pros of managing stress to be high (P<.01). Stress management behaviors were significantly related to stage of change (P<.01), self-efficacy (P<.01), and the cons of managing stress (P<.05). Graphed patterns of decisional balance examined by stage of change and stress management behavior were atypical in this sample.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians and researchers can use the TTM to describe behavioral indicators of stress management in HIV+ women. However, further research is needed to more fully understand behavioral processes HIV+ women can use to adopt and maintain stress management behaviors.
Riley
Tracy A
TA
College of Nursing, The University of Akron, 209 Carroll Street, OH 44325-3701, USA. triley@uakron.edu
Fava
Joseph L
JL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*