Social networks of HIV-positive women and their association with social support and depression symptoms. Issue 2 (7th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cederbaum, Julie A.; Rice, Eric; Craddock, Jaih; Pimentel, Veronica; Beaver, Patty
• Is Part Of: Women & health. Volume 57:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 282
• Publication Date: 2017-02-07
• Subjects: Depressive symptoms -- social networks -- social support -- technology; Women -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Women -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; Women's health services -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Women in medicine -- Periodicals; 613.0424405
• DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2016.1157126
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-0242

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Social support is important to the mental health and well-being of HIV-positive women. Limited information exists about the specific structure and composition of HIV-positive women's support networks or associations of these network properties with mental health outcomes. In this pilot study, the authors examine whether support network characteristics were associated with depressive symptoms. Survey and network data were collected from HIV-positive women ( N = 46) via a web-based survey and an iPad application in August 2012. Data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression models in SAS. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with a greater number of doctors in a woman's network; having more HIV-positive network members was associated with less symptom reporting. Women who reported more individuals who could care for them had more family support. Those who reported feeling loved were less likely to report disclosure stigma. This work highlighted that detailed social network data can increase our understanding of social support so as to identify interventions to support the mental health of HIV-positive women. Most significant is the ongoing need for support from peers.