title: Coping styles and illicit drug use in older adults with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: The prevalence of HIV infection in older adults is increasing; by 2015, over half of adults living with HIV/AIDS in the United States will be over 50. This study describes the prevalence of drug use and examines psychosocial predictors of drug use in a sample of HIV-infected adults aged 50 and older. Participants were 301 HIV-positive older adults enrolled in a clinical trial of a coping intervention aimed to reduce their depressive symptoms. One-quarter used illicit drugs in the past 60 days (48% any cocaine, 48% weekly marijuana, 44% any other drugs) with an average of 36 days for marijuana and 15 days for cocaine. After controlling for demographics, self-destructive avoidance was positively associated and spiritual coping was negatively associated with drug use. These findings suggest that assessment of drug abuse should be a routine part of care for older patients in HIV clinics. Furthermore, interventions designed to increase spiritual coping and decrease self-destructive avoidance may be particularly efficacious for HIV-infected older adults.
authors: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University.
authors: Linda M
authors: LM
authors: Skalski
authors: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Global Health Institute, Duke University.
authors: Kathleen J
authors: KJ
authors: Sikkema
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine/Gerontology, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
authors: Timothy G
authors: TG
authors: Heckman
authors: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University.
authors: Christina S
authors: CS
authors: Meade
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs