title: Social support and depressive symptomatology among HIV-positive women: the mediating role of self-esteem and mastery.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Box 351525, Seattle, 98195-1525, USA. jsimoni@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Simoni
authors.forename: Heidi D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.forename: Bu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Elissa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goodry
mesh_terms: 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