AEGiS-07IAC: Predictors of depression among persons with HIV infection.

7th International AIDS Conference

Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

Predictors of depression among persons with HIV infection.

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:457 (abstract no. W.D.4276)
Murphy DA, Kelly JA, Brasfield T, Koob J, Bahr R, St Lawrence J; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESES: Conflicting findings as to whether HIV+ patients exhibit significant levels of depression have been reported. Given the expanding HIV crisis, mental health professionals need to be prepared to deal with psychosocial distress among this population. This investigation was conducted to determine whether significant levels of depression existed in a sample of HIV+ gay men. Hypotheses were that depression would be associated with lower perceived social support and external locus of control.

METHODS: 75 HIV+ gay men were administered: the CES-D depression inventory; the SCL-90-R; a health locus of control scale; the Social Provision Scale, a general measure of perceived social support; and an illness symptom checklist.

RESULTS: Using the CES-D, 57% of the sample met criteria for depression and 17% for possible depression. This was supported by the depression subscale of the SCL-90-R, in which 59% of the sample met criteria for depression. Analyses were conducted using ANOVAs; all data reported here was significant at p less than .05. Subjects defined as depressed by the CES-D had significantly lower scores on the social provision scale, showing lower levels of attachment, less social interaction, and lower feelings of worth. Depression was also associated with lower scores on the Internal subscale of the Health Locus of Control scale and with higher scores on the Chance subscale, and with a greater number of physical symptoms.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: A subset of HIV+ patients are likely to be depressed--predictors include: perception of fewer social supports and not feeling needed as a source of support; more severe illness; and lower internal locus of control scores. Mental health professionals should be aware that therapy emphasizing a social support network and utilizing the patient as a source of support for other HIV+ patients may be needed for these individuals.

Keywords: AEGIS, Depression, HIV Infections, Homosexuality, Male, Social Support, Depressive Disorder, Human, Male, ICA7
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WD4276