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The role of social support in HIV infection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

K. H. Nott ,
K. Vedhara  and
M. J. Power
K. H. Nott*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne; Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway and MRC Social and Community Psychiatry Unit, University of London; Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh
K. Vedhara
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne; Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway and MRC Social and Community Psychiatry Unit, University of London; Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh
M. J. Power
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne; Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway and MRC Social and Community Psychiatry Unit, University of London; Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr K. H. Nott, Department of Psychology, Ridley Building, Claremont Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.
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Synopsis

A study was carried out in a group of 91 HIV positive gay men to investigate the relationship between social support, measures of affect and health; the changing nature of support over time; and the causal direction of this relationship. Overall levels of support for this group were found to be moderately high and consistent over 6 months and were associated with greater psychological well-being. Individuals in receipt of quantitatively different levels of support were found to differ on measures of depression, stress, coping efficacy and self-esteem, while individuals in receipt of deficient levels of support were found to be more depressed. However, initial support levels were found to be the most powerful predictors of subsequent support levels. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 25 , Issue 5 , September 1995 , pp. 971 - 983
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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