Characterizing Social Support: Global and Specific Social Support Experiences of HIV-Infected Youth

Abstract

This study examined the nature, type, and source of social support available to a diverse group of HIV-infected adolescents and the relationship between social support and depression. Data were obtained from the baseline assessment of Adolescent Impact, a behavioral intervention conducted in 2003-2006 involving 166 HIV-infected youth, ages 13-21, in care at four urban medical centers. Youth completed the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, Beck Depression Inventory, and questions about HIV-specific social support including locus (family and friends) and type (structural, perceived, instrumental, and satisfaction). Linear regression modeling examined the relation between HIV-specific and general perceived social support, and between social support and depression. Participants were predominately minority (72% black and 20% Hispanic); perinatally infected (60% PIY), and female (53%). Most had someone to either remind them to attend (71%) or to bring them to clinic (60%), a majority family (53%) and fewer friends (4%). More youth reported being satisfied with family (64%) social support than that from friends (51%). Behaviorally infected youth (BIY) had significantly more friends who knew their serostatus than PIY (means = 4.5 and 1.7; p < 0.001), but received significantly less help from family in accessing care (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with family social support was the best predictor of general perceived social support with general perceived social support and behavioral mode of transmission the best predictors of depression. Regular screening of HIV-positive youth for social support needs, especially BIY, and identification of sources for social support should be a regular part of care.

Satisfaction with Life, Big-Five Personality Traits and Posttraumatic Growth Among People Living with HIV

“…More specifically, we found that the association between SWL and PTG was stronger in the group of single participants than in the group of participants in stable relationships. Several authors noted that for PLWH, being in a stable relationship is an important source of life satisfaction, which is additionally positively related to affective well-being (Abramowitz et al 2009;Mavandadi et al 2009). Therefore, perhaps the role of SWL for PTG may be not as important as for single participants, but more research is needed to verify this assumption.…”

Are online support groups always beneficial? A qualitative exploration of the empowering and disempowering processes of participation within HIV/AIDS-related online support groups

“…The diagnosis and management of HIV/AIDS are associated with significant physical and psychosocial morbidity (Bogart et al, 2000). Previous studies have shown that individuals living with HIV/AIDS require support and health information in order to help manage the disease (Abramowitz et al, 2009) but that their needs have not always been met (Schrimshaw, Siegel, Schrimshaw, & Siegel, 2003;Serovich, Brucker, & Kimberly, 2000).…”

What HIV-Positive Young Women Want from Behavioral Interventions: A Qualitative Approach

“…2 The impact on teen girls is particularly notable. In 2004, teen girls in the United States represented 43% of AIDS cases among those aged [13][14][15][16][17][18][19], and young women aged 20-24 represented 33% of AIDS cases in their respective age group. 2 Women of color, particularly African American women, are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS.…”