TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychological symptoms among persons 50 years of age and older living with HIV disease
AU - Heckman, T. G.
AU - Heckman, B. D.
AU - Kochman, A.
AU - Sikkema, K. J.
AU - Suhr, J.
AU - Goodkin, K.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by Grant R03-AG16034 from the National Institte uonAg g,in Grant RO1-MH59009 from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and Center Grant P30- MH527for7NmM6HIW e.x edtapperecniation to Jo Bergholte, Kelly Scheuerell, Peggy Krimmer, and Karyl Jones. We also extned ousinrcere gratitude to all study participants and collaborating AIDS service organizations.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Although persons 50 years of age and older account for 10% of all US AIDS cases, the mental health needs of this growing group remain largely overlooked. The current study delineated patterns and predictors of psychological symptoms amongst late middle-aged and older adults living with HIV/AIDS in two large US cities. In late 1998, 83 HIV-infected individuals 50-plus years of age (M = 55.2, Range = 50-69) completed self-report surveys eliciting data on psychological symptomatology, HIV-related life-stressor burden, social support, barriers to health care and social services, and sociodemographic characteristics. Based on the Beck Depression Inventory, 25% of participants reported 'moderate' or 'severe' levels of depression. HIV-infected older adults also evidenced an elevated number of symptoms characteristic of somatization. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that HIV-infected older adults who endorsed more psychological symptoms also reported more HIV-related life-stressor burden, less support from friends, and reduced access to health care and social services due to AIDS-related stigma. As the impact of HIV on older communities continues to increase, geropractitioners must be prepared to provide care to greater numbers of HIV-infected older adults, a substantial minority of whom will present with complex comorbid physical and mental health conditions.
AB - Although persons 50 years of age and older account for 10% of all US AIDS cases, the mental health needs of this growing group remain largely overlooked. The current study delineated patterns and predictors of psychological symptoms amongst late middle-aged and older adults living with HIV/AIDS in two large US cities. In late 1998, 83 HIV-infected individuals 50-plus years of age (M = 55.2, Range = 50-69) completed self-report surveys eliciting data on psychological symptomatology, HIV-related life-stressor burden, social support, barriers to health care and social services, and sociodemographic characteristics. Based on the Beck Depression Inventory, 25% of participants reported 'moderate' or 'severe' levels of depression. HIV-infected older adults also evidenced an elevated number of symptoms characteristic of somatization. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that HIV-infected older adults who endorsed more psychological symptoms also reported more HIV-related life-stressor burden, less support from friends, and reduced access to health care and social services due to AIDS-related stigma. As the impact of HIV on older communities continues to increase, geropractitioners must be prepared to provide care to greater numbers of HIV-infected older adults, a substantial minority of whom will present with complex comorbid physical and mental health conditions.
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U2 - 10.1080/13607860220126709a
DO - 10.1080/13607860220126709a
M3 - Article
C2 - 12028880
AN - SCOPUS:0036260173
SN - 1360-7863
VL - 6
SP - 121
EP - 128
JO - Aging and Mental Health
JF - Aging and Mental Health
IS - 2
ER -