Purpose
To describe the associations among three social resource variables
(social belonging, social support networks, and social capital) and two
health promotion behaviors, HIV medication adherence and physical activity,
and quality of life among persons living with HIV (PLHIV).
Method
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in 102 adult PLHIV. Social
resource variables and quality of life were assessed using validated and
widely-used instruments. Physical activity was assessed using a daily
physical activity diary and medication adherence was abstracted from the
participant's medical record. Spearman correlations and descriptive
statistics were used to analyze associations among variables.
Results
Fifty-four participants (54%) were male and most were African
American (84%), single (69%), and living in poverty (82%). Participants had
been living with HIV for an average of 13.6 years (+/−7) and most
were living with at least one non-AIDS comorbidity (80%). Social belonging
was significantly associated with HIV medication adherence
(ρ = 0.25, p = 0.02), overall
functioning (ρ = 0.48, p <
0.01) and life satisfaction quality of life (ρ =
0.50, p < 0.01). Social capital was also associated
with HIV medication adherence (ρ = 0.17,
p = 0.10) and life satisfaction quality of life
(ρ = 0.29, p <
0.01).
Conclusions
We found that there are distinctions among various, widely-used
social resource constructs. By describing these unique associations and
distinctions, our study helps identify which social resources should be
targeted in the development of interventions to improve health promotion and
the quality of life of members of this marginalized population.
Human immunodeficiency virus-positive adults have poor physical activity patterns and diminished cardiovascular health. Future longitudinal studies should examine whether HIV infection blunts the beneficial effects of physical activity on cardiovascular health.
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