Psychiatric context of acute/early HIV infection. The NIMH Multisite Acute HIV Infection Study: IV.
Acute/early HIV infection is a period of high risk for HIV transmission. Better understanding of behavioral aspects during this period could improve interventions to limit further transmission. Thirty-four participants with acute/early HIV infection from six US cities were assessed with the Mini International Diagnostic Interview, Beck Depression Inventory II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Brief COPE, and an in-depth interview. Most had a pre-HIV history of alcohol or substance use disorder (85%); a majority (53%) had a history of major depressive or bipolar disorder. However, post-diagnosis coping was predominantly adaptive, with only mild to moderate elevations of anxious or depressive mood. Respondents described challenges managing HIV in tandem with pre-existing substance abuse problems, depression, and anxiety. Integration into medical and community services was associated with adaptive coping. The psychiatric context of acute/early HIV infection may be a precursor to infection, but not necessarily a barrier to intervention to reduce forward transmission of HIV among persons newly infected.
Atkinson
J Hampton
JH
HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, University of California of San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92103, USA. jhatkinson@ucsd.edu
Higgins
Jenny A
JA
Vigil
Ofilio
O
Dubrow
Robert
R
Remien
Robert H
RH
Steward
Wayne T
WT
Casey
Corinna Young
CY
Sikkema
Kathleen J
KJ
Correale
Jackie
J
Ake
Chris
C
McCutchan
J Allen
JA
Kerndt
Peter R
PR
Morin
Stephen F
SF
Grant
Igor
I
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology