Coping and social support as determinants of quality of life in HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Coping, social support and quality of life (QOL) were examined in 120 HIV+ people (mean age = 37). The sample came from ambulatory clinics and drop-in centres in Toronto: 29% had AIDS, 35% were HIV symptomatic, and 35% were asymptomatic. Information was gathered from self-administered questionnaires. Respondents had good levels of social support and used a variety of coping strategies. Their scores on the behavioural and subjective measures of QOL were somewhat below average. The illness-related measure indicated that their diagnosis had an almost neutral effect on QOL and showed several areas where QOL had been positively affected. Data from male subjects only (n = 107) were analysed using a hierarchical block regression for each QOL measure. Income, emotional social support, and problem-oriented and perception-oriented coping were positively related to QOL. Tangible social support and emotion-oriented coping were negatively related and symptom severity was not related at all. Close friends provided most types of support. Although respondents indicated high levels of satisfaction with support generally, they expressed a need for more emotional support. Unemployment was high despite participants being relatively healthy and well-educated.

“HIV/AIDS Isn’t Here”

“…This finding is significant, as numerous studies have linked social support to physical health and management of HIV. For example, Friedland et al, (1996) found that emotional support was a statistically significant factor in determining quality of life for individuals living with HIV, and note that support services that "bridge the gap between informal and formal" (e.g., a camp experience) may be particularly beneficial (p. 28). Similarly, Ashton et al reported that satisfaction with social support was linked to a lower level of progression of HIV-related health symptoms (2005); Bekele et al (2013) found that perceived social support directly affected both physical and mental health, as well as mediating depressive symptoms; and Clingerman (2004) found that social support provided by friends was positively linked to health-related quality of life.…”

“…For example, living with HIV affects both the type of social support needed, and the ability to access various forms of social support. Perceived social support, particularly emotional support, was found to be a significant factor in determining the quality of life for individuals living with HIV (Friedland et al, 1996). While the participants perceived the emotional support they received was of sufficient quality, they wished for a greater quantity of emotional support.…”

“…With strong cultural taboos, stigma, and secrecy, HIV has a unique social context that adds to the complexity of social work interventions with affected populations. In fact, HIV has been described by many researchers as a "social disease" (e.g., Mavandadi, Zanjani, Ten Have, & Oslin, 2009;Friedland, Renwick, & McColl, 1996) due to the stigma and marginalization of affected individuals. These two factors can make accessing traditional forms of social support particularly difficult for individuals and families living with, or affected by, HIV (Caroleo, 2001;Sausser, Dattilo, & Kivel, 2000;Kelly, 2010).…”

“…In addition, social support was significantly associated with a variety of other factors that may affect quality of life: employment status, income, and housing-related discrimination (p. 340). Ashton et al, (2005), Friedland, et al, (1996 and Bekele et al, (2013) all cite as an implication the need for increased "informal support" services, such as buddy lines and drop-in centres (Ashton et al, 2005 p. 28). …”

“…Clingerman found that social support -from friends in particular -was highly correlated with healthrelated quality of life (2004). Friedland et al, (1996) studied the roles of social support and coping in determining the quality of life for 120 HIV-positive individuals in Toronto. The authors note that effective social support for individuals living with illness must be tailored to the illness.…”