Depressive symptomatology among HIV-positive women in the era of HAART: a stress and coping model.
OBJECTIVE
An enhanced stress and coping model was used to explain depression among HIV-positive women in healthcare and community settings where highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART) was commonplace.


METHODS
HIV-infected women in four cities (N=978) were assessed, cross-sectionally, for mental and physical health, stress, social support, and other background factors.


RESULTS
Self-reported level of depressive symptomatology was high. Number of physical symptoms, illness intrusiveness, and perceived stress were positively associated with depressed mood, while coping self-efficacy and social support were negatively associated. Stress mediated the effect of health status on depression and coping self-efficacy mediated the effect of psychosocial resources on depression. Our enhanced stress and coping model accounted for 52% of variance in depressive symtpomatology.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions focused on improving coping self-efficacy, bolstering social supports, and decreasing stress in the lives of HIV-positive women may help to reduce the negative effects of HIV disease on mood.
Remien
Robert H
RH
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY 10032, USA. rhr1@columbia.edu
Exner
Theresa
T
Kertzner
Robert M
RM
Ehrhardt
Anke A
AA
Rotheram-Borus
Mary Jane
MJ
Johnson
Mallory O
MO
Weinhardt
Lance S
LS
Kittel
Lauren E
LE
Goldstein
Rise B
RB
Pinto
Rogério M
RM
Morin
Stephen F
SF
Chesney
Margaret A
MA
Lightfoot
Marguerita
M
Gore-Felton
Cheryl
C
Dodge
Brian
B
Kelly
Jeffrey A
JA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology