title: The association between depressive symptoms, anger, and perceived support resources among underserved older HIV positive black/African American adults.
abstract: By 2015, half of those living with HIV in the United States will be ≥50 years of age. Research suggests that perceived social support is an important factor in maintaining positive health behaviors in this population. The present study examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and trait anger on perceived social support in a sample of low-income HIV positive (HIV+) African Americans ≥50 years of age. Additionally, we examined life stressors moderated the relationship between mental health and perceived support. This study includes 95 HIV+ men and women ≥50 years of age who identify as black/African American. As expected, depressive symptoms and trait anger showed a strong inverse relationship with perceived support resources. Furthermore, life stressors also showed a strong inverse relationship with perceived support. However, life stressors did not moderate the relationship between depressive symptoms and anger. Instead life stressors demonstrated a strong independent relationship with perceived support. The association between depressive symptoms, trait anger, life stressors, and lower perceived support suggests that these factors play a role in one's ability to access needed support resources. Greater perceived support is associated with improved health in HIV+ persons, and may be especially important in tailoring interventions for those ≥50 years of age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Nicole Ennis
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hearn
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burrell
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000786:Anger; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006295:Health Resources; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D019562:Viral Load; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
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