Illness-related support and negative network interactions: effects on HIV-infected men's depressive symptomatology

Am J Community Psychol. 1997 Jun;25(3):395-420. doi: 10.1023/a:1024632811934.

Abstract

Data collected as part of a psychosocial study of gay and bisexual men's experiences of living with HIV infection as a chronic illness were examined to investigate the psychological impact of the perceived availability of illness-related support and negative illness-related network interactions in a sample of men from this population. The sample was comprised of 144 HIV-infected non-Hispanic white, African American, and Puerto Rican Men living in the New York City metropolitan area. Analyses found evidence of a conjoint (interactive) effect between perceived support and negative network interactions. There was no evidence of either perceived availability of illness-related network support buffering or negative illness-related network interactions amplifying the effect of HIV/AIDS-related physical symptomatology on depressive symptomatology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bisexuality
  • Chronic Disease
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • HIV Seropositivity / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Social Support