title: Coping and psychological distress among symptomatic HIV+ men who have sex with men.
abstract: This study evaluated relations among indicators of latent coping factors and psychological distress while incorporating measures of life stress and HIV illness related factors simultaneously among 211 symptomatic, HIV+ men who have sex with men (MSM). Participants were all assessed at a single time point. A structural equations model with latent factors for approach-oriented coping, avoidant-oriented coping, and psychological distress showed adequate fit. Furthermore, significant associations were identified among latent factors for approach-oriented coping, avoidance coping, and psychological distress; specifically, greater use of approach-oriented coping strategies and less use of avoidant-oriented coping were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. The model was revised to incorporate variables significantly associated with psychological distress (i.e., personal loss-total events, personal loss-controllability, and HIV-related symptoms). Relations among the coping and psychological distress latent factors remained significant. The results suggest that HIV+ MSM who do not have the coping skills or resources necessary to use adequate coping strategies to face the chronic burdens associated with HIV illness are likely to experience higher levels of psychological distress, independent of life stress and ongoing HIV-related symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA. mantoni@umiami.ir.miami.edu
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Penedo
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dahn
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Antoni
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ironson
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malow
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schneiderman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male