title: The Impact of Comorbidities, Depression, and Substance Use Problems on Quality of Life Among Older Adults Living With HIV.
abstract: Older adults living with HIV (OALWH) comprise a growing population with a range of complex and interconnecting medical and psychosocial needs. Based on the biopsychosocial model with its emphasis on a holistic approach to various aspects of people's lives, the current study explored associations between physical health, psychological health, substance use, and overall quality of life. Drawing on data from 114 substance-using OALWH (aged 50 or older), we employed linear regression to show associations between the number of current comorbid health conditions on quality of life, over and above depression, substance use problems, and demographic characteristics (age, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, education, and relationship status). In both bivariate and multivariable contexts, the number of comorbid conditions was associated with reduced quality of life. Depression and substance use were also negatively associated with quality of life. These findings indicate that clinical and supportive care for OALWH, particularly when related to mental health and substance use, should also include an integrated focus on the comparatively high number of current comorbid conditions that often accompany, and potentially complicate, HIV treatment and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies & Training, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.|Health Psychology and Clinical Sciences Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Brett M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies & Training, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.|Health Psychology and Clinical Sciences Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA.|Department of Psychology, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA.
authors.forename: Tyrel J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Starks
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies & Training, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.|CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sitaji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gurung
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies & Training, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA. Jeffrey.Parsons@hunter.cuny.edu.|Health Psychology and Clinical Sciences Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA. Jeffrey.Parsons@hunter.cuny.edu.|Department of Psychology, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA. Jeffrey.Parsons@hunter.cuny.edu.
authors.forename: Jeffrey T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Parsons
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Aging; Comorbid; Depression; Health; Substance use