AIDS-related grief and coping with loss among HIV-positive men and women.
AIDS-related grief was examined and its association with coping among HIV-positive men and women explored. AIDS-related grief, psychological distress and coping were examined among a sample of 268 HIV-infected individuals, diverse with respect to gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Participants exhibited elevated scores on measures of grief reaction and psychological distress including depressive symptoms, anxiety, and traumatic stress related to their losses. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that severity of grief reaction was associated with escape-avoidance and self-controlling coping strategies, type of loss, depressive symptoms, and history of injection drug use. Interventions are needed to enhance coping and reduce psychological distress associated with the unique bereavement experienced by people living with HIV- and AIDS-related grief.
Sikkema
Kathleen J
KJ
Division of Prevention and Community Research, Consultation Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 389 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. kathleen.sikkema@yale.edu
Kochman
Arlene
A
DiFranceisco
Wayne
W
Kelly
Jeffrey A
JA
Hoffmann
Raymond G
RG
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D014922:Wisconsin