Social Support, Conflict, and Integration Among Women Living With HIV/AIDS¹

Abstract

The relationship between depressive symptoms and perceptions of available social support, social conflict, and subjective social integration were examined as part of a psychosocial study of Puerto Rican, African American, and non‐Hispanic White women living with HIV/AIDS (N= 146) in New York City. Lower levels of subjective social integration and higher levels of social conflict were associated with more depressive symptoms. Perceived availability of social support was not significantly associated with depression in comparison with these other forms of support. No evidence was found for a stress‐buffering or a stress‐amplification effect. Significant ethnic differences in levels of social integration and social conflict also were noted. Results suggest that intervention efforts should go beyond addressing support to further address the conflict and lack, of integration experienced.

Diminished Sexual Activity, Interest, and Feelings of Attractiveness Among HIV-Infected Women in Two Eras of the AIDS Epidemic

“…Many spoke of the slights and rebukes they had suffered from partners in the past that they attributed to their disease and the inability they felt to endure the pain of similar events again. Such unsupportive and rejecting responses, particularly from a sexual partner, have been found to be associated with depression among HIV-infected women (e.g., Schrimshaw, 2002;. Yet, if the women avoided relationships out of a fear that there would eventually be an expectation of sexual involvement, they might also be depriving themselves of a potentially valuable source of social support (e.g., Haas, 2002).…”

“…Yet, if the women avoided relationships out of a fear that there would eventually be an expectation of sexual involvement, they might also be depriving themselves of a potentially valuable source of social support (e.g., Haas, 2002). The benefits of social support from a sexual partner for the mental health of HIV-positive individuals are already widely recognized (e.g., Schrimshaw, 2002;Siegel, Raveis, & Karus, 1997).…”

Psychological Distress Following Suicidality Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths: Role of Social Relationships

“…1 As individuals may experience both supportive relationships and negative relationships with others, research has conceptualized social support and negative relationships as separate constructs and found that they are only moderately correlated (e.g., Revenson et al, 1991;Schrimshaw, 2002;Siegel et al, 1997). Of 164 youths interviewed at baseline, 8 were excluded due to their ineligibility for the study, resulting in a final sample of 80 males and 76 females.…”

Efeito do suporte social na vida de adultos com HIV/AIDS Effect of social support in the lives of adults with HIV/AIDS

“…40 As the evidence levels, 8 there was the following distribution: an article level II, 31 an article level IV 11 articles level VI. 1,[9][10][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] It was found that most of the findings were derived from cross-sectional and descriptive studies, occurring direct observation of a planned number of people with HIV/ AIDS in a lifetime opportunity, which prevents comparisons of long-term sample characteristics.…”

“…22 Poor social support is related to food insecurity and depression inPLHIV. 27 Older men with HIV/AIDS are more likely to have less social support and more distress than the younger ones, so that social support decreases psychological discomfort and increases the welfare. 29 The PVHA satisfied with their relationships and engaged securely with other people experience a positive psychological adjustment.…”