title: Social support and the psychological wellbeing of people living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study sought to investigate the association between age, gender, social support and the psychological wellbeing of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA) in Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data containing information on demographics, social support and psychological well-being (stress, depression, and anxiety), were collected from 107 men and women living with HIV/AIDS. To explore age group differences, participants were stratified by age (< 39 vs. 40+ years). Three anonymous self-administered questionnaires were used, namely the demographic data questionnaire, Sources of Social Support Scale, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS- 42).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Correlation analysis revealed that social support was negatively associated with depression, stress and anxiety. Compared with males living with HIV, women reported higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety. Female gender and low social support were significant predictors of depression and stress after controlling for selected independent variables. Older participants experienced higher levels of stress than their younger counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public health personnel and AIDS professionals may consider further interventions to promote psychological health in HIV/AIDS-positive individuals. More attention should be paid to the social environment of individuals diagnosed with HIV as the quality of social relationships may be particularly important for successful psychological adaptation to HIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Psychology, Regent University College of Science and Technology, Accra, Ghana. kwappong@gmail.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oppong Asante
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult