Social support, stress and social network characteristics among HIV-positive Latino and African American women and men who have sex with men.
Social support and stress have been poorly characterized for persons with HIV, particularly for racial/ethnic minorities. To address this gap, data on general and HIV-specific support and stress and social network characteristics were collected for 399 African American and Latino women and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Los Angeles County. African American (mean = 41; SD = 17) and Latina (mean = 40; SD = 19) women reported the highest general support. Stress was also highest for Latina women (mean = 18; SD = 11) and higher compared to Latino and African American MSM. African American and Latina women reported receiving most of their social support and stress from family members, while African American and Latino MSM received their support and stress from friends and providers. Finally, Latina and African American women disclosed their HIV status to more network members and received more HIV-specific support compared to MSM. Interventions are needed to help Latino and African American MSM enhance their support networks to manage a stigmatized illness.
Wohl
Amy Rock
AR
HIV Epidemiology Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90005, USA. awohl@ph.lacounty.gov
Galvan
Frank H
FH
Myers
Hector F
HF
Garland
Wendy
W
George
Sheba
S
Witt
Mallory
M
Cadden
Joseph
J
Operskalski
Eva
E
Jordan
Wilbert
W
Carpio
Felix
F
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*