Social support and depressive symptomatology among HIV-positive women: the mediating role of self-esteem and mastery.
Women constitute an increasing proportion of individuals contracting HIV in the United States and, once diagnosed, are living longer lives since the advent of combination antiretroviral therapies. HIV-positive women, who are disproportionately ethnic minority, face unique challenges to their psychosocial adaptation. Findings from a survey of 373 mainly indigent African-American and Puerto Rican women living with HIV/AIDS in the New York City area indicated high levels of depressive symptomatology, which were inversely related to HIV-related social support from friends, relatives, partner, and groups/ organizations. In line with the Cognitive Adaptation Model, structural equation modeling indicated that psychological resourcefulness (i.e., self-esteem and mastery) mediated the effects of social support on depressive symptomatology. Findings suggest the need to assess HIV-positive women for social isolation and depression and to provide them with interventions such as support groups that capitalize on their existing strengths, including their psychological resourcefulness.
Simoni
Jane M
JM
Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Box 351525, Seattle, 98195-1525, USA. jsimoni@u.washington.edu
Montoya
Heidi D
HD
Huang
Bu
B
Goodry
Elissa
E
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D012649:Self Concept; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health