Singh N, Berman S, Swindells S, Justis J, Squier C, Mohr J, Wagener MM; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 253 (abstract no. 14353).
VA Medical Ctr. Infectious Disease Sect., Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of, sources and satisfaction with social support, coping strategies, pessimism (hopelessness), and sociodemographic characteristics on QOL in HIV infected patients. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, longitudinal study of 102 HIV infected patients; the median CD4 was 284 (range 4-781). QOL was measured by MOS-SF 36 and social support by social support questionnaire (Sarason 1983). 3 types of support were assessed: emotional (receipt of emotional comfort), instrumental (provision of physical or material aid) and informational (receipt of advice or guidance). Coping (method and focus of coping) was assessed by Billing and Moos scale, and hopelessness by Beck hopelessness scale. RESULTS: QOL did not correlate with age, CD4 count, AIDS, HIV risk factors, race, educational level or marital status. Employment (p = .007) and higher income (p = .057) were associated with better QOL. Patients with greater perceived satisfaction with social support had higher QOL (p = .06). Satisfaction with instrumental (p = .02), and informational (p = .008), but not emotional support, was associated with better QOL. Patients with higher family support had better QOL (p = .03), however the patients were more satisfied if their partner was part of their support (p = .002). Hopelessness correlated inversely with QOL (p = .0001); loss of motivation (p = .0001), negative feelings about the future (p = .0001), and lower future expectations (p = .0001), were predictors of poorer QOL. Higher perceived satisfaction with social support was significantly associated with less hopelessness (p = .0004). Active-cognitive and active-behavioral coping did not effect QOL, however avoidance coping (responses that served to avoid the problem) were associated with significantly lower QOL (p = .0001). CONCLUSION: Higher perceived satisfaction with social support was associated with better QOL and had a buffering effect on hopelessness. Availability of instrumental and informational, but not emotional support, correlated with better QOL.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Affect
- CD4 Lymphocyte Count
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Interpersonal Relations
- Life
- Life Change Events
- Longitudinal Studies
- Personal Satisfaction
- Personality
- Quality of Life
- Social Support
Other ID:
UI: 102228629
From Meeting Abstracts