Correlates of suicidal ideation among HIV-positive persons.
OBJECTIVE
The present investigation sought to determine the extent to which demographic characteristics, illness-related burdens, alcohol and other substance use, and psychosocial factors are independently associated with suicidal ideation in HIV-positive individuals.


METHODS
HIV-positive individuals in four US cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and New York City) were screened between July 2000 and January 2002 for recruitment into a randomized behavioral prevention trial. Utilizing data from this screening visit, rates and correlates of suicidal ideation were examined in a diverse sample of 2909 HIV-positive individuals.


METHODS
Using binary logistic regression study sites, demographic characteristics, illness-related burdens, alcohol and substance use, and psychosocial factors were entered as predictors of suicidal ideation. This cross-sectional model thus examined the independent effects of each factor.


RESULTS
Approximately one-fifth (19%) of participants reported thoughts of suicide in the past week. We observed that participants who were not heterosexual, rated HIV-related symptoms and medication side effects as more severe, reported regular marijuana use, and described elevated affective symptoms of depression were those who were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Conversely, participants who identified as Hispanic/Latino, individuals in a primary romantic relationship, and those who reported greater self-efficacy for coping were less likely to report suicidal ideation.


CONCLUSIONS
Suicidal ideation among HIV-positive individuals is relatively common and is associated with multiple factors. These independent correlates may assist with identifying HIV-positive individuals who are at increased risk of suicidal ideation so that they may be assessed regularly and referred for psychological treatment when appropriate.
Carrico
Adam W
AW
Health Psychology Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Francisco, 3333 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. adam.carrico@ucsf.edu
Johnson
Mallory O
MO
Morin
Stephen F
SF
Remien
Robert H
RH
Charlebois
Edwin D
ED
Steward
Wayne T
WT
Chesney
Margaret A
MA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology