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.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
HighKP, GoronzyJJ, JusticeAC, et al.HIV and Aging: State of Knowledge and Areas of Critical Need for Research. A Report to the NIH Office of AIDS Research by the HIV and Aging Working Group. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2012; 60 (Suppl 1):S1–S18.
2.
KnowltonAR, CurryA, HuaW, WissowL. Depression and social context: Primary supporter relationship factors associated with depressive symptoms among a disadvantaged population with HIV/AIDS. J Community Psychol, 2009; 37:526–541.
3.
WoodwardEN, PantaloneDW. The role of social support and negative affect in medication adherence for HIV-infected men who have sex with men. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care, 2012; 23:388–396.
4.
MitchellMM, KnowltonA. Stigma, disclosure, and depressive symptoms among informal caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Patient Care STDs, 2009; 23:611–617.
5.
SevertsonSG, GrahamCM, MitchellM, FloydL, LatimerWW. Factors associated with HIV and HCV infection among individuals with a history of injection drug use in Baltimore. Retrovirology, 2006; 3(Suppl 1):P59.
6.
SiegelK, SchrimshawEW, KarusD. Racial disparities in sexual risk behaviors and drug use among older gay/bisexual and heterosexual men living with HIV/AIDS. J Natl Med Assoc, 2004; 96:215–223.
7.
ShippyRA. Perceptions of support among older adults with HIV. Res Aging, 2005; 27:290–306.
8.
ShippyR, ApplebaumA, DorfmanD, KarpiakS. Influence of depressive symptomatology on neuropsychological performance in aging HIV-positive adults. Gerontologist, 2005; 45:612–613.
9.
BurgoyneR, RenwickR. Social support and quality of life over time among adults living with HIV in the HAART era. Soc Sci Med, 2004; 58:1353–1366.
10.
KnowltonA, HuaW, LatkinC. Social support among HIV positive injection drug users: Implications to integrated intervention for HIV positives. AIDS Behav, 2004; 8:357–363.
11.
HinkinCH, HardyDJ, MasonKI, et al.Medication adherence in HIV-infected adults: effect of patient age, cognitive status, and substance abuse. AIDS, 2004; 18Suppl 1:S19–S25.
12.
DiiorioC, McCartyF, DepadillaL, et al.Adherence to antiretroviral medication regimens: a test of a psychosocial model. AIDS Behav, 2009; 13:10–22.
13.
Social Support Measurement and Intervention: A Guide for Health and Social Scientists. CohenS., UnderwoodL.G., and GottliebB.H., eds. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
14.
EdwardsLV. Perceived social support and HIV/AIDS medication adherence among African American women. Qual Health Res, 2006; 16:679–691.
15.
CrosbyRA, WingoodGM, DiClementeRJ, RoseES. Family-related correlates of sexually transmitted disease and barriers to care: A pilot study of pregnant African American adolescents. Fam Community Health, 2002; 25:16–27.
16.
GalaifER, SteinJA, NyamathiAM. Ethnic differences in risk for HIV infection and STDs in a sample of African-American and Latina homeless women. J Sex Educ Ther, 1999; 24:71–80.
17.
GrovC, GolubSA, ParsonsJT, BrennanM, KarpiakSE. Loneliness and HIV-related stigma explain depression among older HIV-positive adults. AIDS Care, 2010; 22:630–639.
18.
KalichmanSC, RompaD. HIV treatment adherence and unprotected sex practices in people receiving antiretroviral therapy. Sex Transm Infect, 2003; 79:59–61.
19.
PowerR, KoopmanC, VolkJ, et al.Social support, substance use, and denial in relationship to antiretroviral treatment adherence among HIV-infected persons. AIDS Patient Care STDs, 2003; 17:245–252.
20.
LyketsosCG, HuttonH, FishmanM, SchwartzJ, TreismanGJ. Psychiatric morbidity on entry to an HIV primary care clinic. AIDS, 1996; 10:1033–1039.
21.
CatzSL, KellyJA, BogartLM, BenotschEG, McAuliffeTL. Patterns, correlates, and barriers to medication adherence among persons prescribed new treatments for HIV disease. Health Psychol, 2000; 19:124–133.
22.
HeckmanTG, HeckmanBD, KochmanA, SikkemaKJ, SuhrJ, GoodkinK. Psychological symptoms among persons 50 years of age and older living with HIV disease. Aging Ment Health, 2002; 6:121–128.
23.
KlugG, LacruzME, EmenyRT, HäfnerS, LadwigK-H, HuberD. Aging without depression: A cross–sectional study. Psychodyn Psychiatry, 2014; 42:5.
24.
BaumA, GarofaloJP, YaliAM. Socioeconomic status and chronic stress: Does stress account for SES effects on health?. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1999; 896:131–144.
DeffenbacherJL, OettingER, ThwaitesGA, et al.State-trait anger theory and the utility of the Trait Anger Scale. J Couns Psychol, 1996; 43:131–148.
27.
JacobsGA, LathamLE, BrownMS. Test-retest reliability of the state-trait personality inventory and the anger expression scale. Anxiety Research, 1988; 1:263–265.
28.
BeckAT, WardCH, MendelsonMM, MockJJ, ErbaughJJ. An inventory for measuring depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1961; 4:561–571.
29.
BeckAT, SteerRA, BallR, RanieriW. Comparison of Beck Depression Inventories –IA and -II in psychiatric outpatients. J Pers Assess., 1996; 67:588–597.
30.
BeckAT, SteerRA, BrownGK. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio: Psychological Corporation, 1996.
31.
VaglioJJ, ConardM, PostonWS, et al.Testing the performance of the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument in cardiac patients. Health Qual Life Outcomes., 2004; 2:24.
32.
CohenS. Psychosocial models of the role of social support in the etiology of physical disease. Health Psychol, 1988; 7:269–297.
33.
JacksonPB. Specifying the buffering hypothesis: Support, strain, and depression. Soc Psychol Q, 1992; 55:363–378.
34.
AtkinsonJH, EllisRJ, AbramsonI, et al.Two-year prospective study of major depressive disorder in HIV-infected men. J Affect Disord, 2008; 108:225–234.
35.
BravoP, EdwardsA, RollnickS, ElwynG. Tough decisions faced by people living with HIV: A literature review of psychosocial problems. AIDS Rev, 2010; 12:76–88.
36.
MilanS, IckovicsJ, VlahovD, et al.Interpersonal predictors of depression trajectories in women with HIV. J Consult Clin Psychol, 2005; 73:678–688.
37.
GeerlingsSW, PotAM, TwiskJWR, DeegDJH. Predicting transitions in the use of informal and professional care by older adults. Ageing Soc, 2005; 25:111–130.
38.
KellyPJ, RamaswamyM, LiX, LitwinAH, BergKM, ArnstenJH. Social networks of substance users with HIV infection: Application of the Norbeck Social Support Scale. West J Nurs Res, 2012; 34:621–634.
39.
KarpiakSE, ShippyRA, CantorM. Research on Older Adults with HIV. New York: AIDS Community Research Initiative of America; 2006.
40.
Rodriguez–PenneyAT, IudicelloJE, RiggsPK, et al.Co-morbidities in persons infected with HIV: Increased burden with older age and negative effects on health-related quality of life. AIDS Patient Care STDs, 2013; 27:5–16.
41.
LogieC, JamesL, TharaoW, LoutfyM. Associations between HIV-related stigma, racial discrimination, gender discrimination, and depression among HIV-positive African, Caribbean, and Black women in Ontario, Canada. AIDS Patient Care STDs, 2013; 27:114–122.
42.
MesserLC, QuinlivanEB, ParnellH, et al.Barriers and facilitators to testing, treatment entry, and engagement in care by HIV-positive women of color. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 2013; 27:398–407.
