title: Prevalence, correlates, and self-management of HIV-related depressive symptoms.
abstract: Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent yet undertreated in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs). As part of a larger study of symptom self-management (N=1217), this study examined the prevalence, correlates, and characteristics (intensity, distress, and impact) of depressive symptoms, and the self-care strategies used to manage those symptoms in PLHAs in five countries. The proportion of respondents from each country in the total sample reporting depressive symptoms in the past week varied and included Colombia (44%), Norway (66%), Puerto Rico (57%), Taiwan (35%), and the USA (56%). Fifty-four percent (n=655) of the total sample reported experiencing depressive symptoms in the past week, with a mean of 4.1 (SD 2.1) days of depression. Mean depression intensity 5.4 (SD 2.7), distressfulness 5.5 (SD 2.86), and impact 5.5 (SD 3.0) were rated on a 1-10 scale. The mean Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score for those reporting depressive symptoms was 27 (SD 11; range 3-58), and varied significantly by country. Respondents identified 19 self-care behaviors for depressive symptoms, which fell into six categories: complementary therapies, talking to others, distraction techniques, physical activity, medications, and denial/avoidant coping. The most frequently used strategies varied by country. In the US sample, 33% of the variance in depressive symptoms was predicted by the combination of education, HIV symptoms, psychological and social support, and perceived consequences of HIV disease.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Newark, USA. eller@rutgers.edu
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Eller
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Bunch
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wantland
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Portillo
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Nokes
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kemppainen
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kirksey
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Corless
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dole
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Holzemer
authors.forename: Y-F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003142:Communication; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents