AEGiS-14IAC: Self-disclosure of HIV serostatus in relation to depression and social support.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Self-disclosure of HIV serostatus in relation to depression and social support.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. WeOrF1327)

Power R, Duran R, Palmer L, Koopman C, Gore-Felton C, Israelski DM, Porter J, Spiegel D
Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States

BACKGROUND: Persons living with HIV disease risk the possibility of negative consequences when revealing their seropositive status to people in their social network. This study examined disclosure of HIV status in relation to depression and social support in an ethnically diverse sample of men and women.

METHODS: We recruited 156 HIV-positive men and women who completed baseline measures of demographics, depression, social support and disclosure. Percentages of those who reported disclosure of HIV status to persons in their social network were calculated. Multiple regression analysis examined demographic, medical and psychosocial variables in relation to the disclosure variables.

RESULTS: 98% of the sample reported disclosing their HIV status to one or more people in their social network. Forty percent indicated indecision about disclosure, 28% desired to reveal their status, 21% regretted having told someone, and 31% planned never to tell certain people. Multiple regression analysis revealed that individuals who reported greater satisfaction with social support disclosed to significantly more people (Beta = .45, t = 6.11, p < .001) with the overall model accounting for an adjusted R2 = .21, overall F (3, 152) = 14.50, p < .001. Individuals who regretted telling their HIV status to someone reported significantly greater depressive symptoms (Wald (df = 1) = 7.92, p < .01), overall model (df = 2) = 12.16, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS: Many HIV-positive people were indecisive about disclosure. Greater depressive symptoms were reported in individuals who experienced regret after disclosure. Those who were more satisfied with their social support disclosed to more people. These findings suggest the need for interventions that guide people through the disclosure process in order to minimize the risk of negative consequences and maximize opportunities for social support.

Keywords: AEGIS, Self Disclosure, Social Support, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Mood Disorders, Disclosure, Affect, Human, Female, Male

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WeOrF1327