Faculty Collaboration Database

Outcome of cognitive-behavioral and support group brief therapies for depressed, HIV-infected persons. Am J Psychiatry 1993 Nov;150(11):1679-86

Date

11/01/1993

Pubmed ID

8214177

DOI

10.1176/ajp.150.11.1679

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0027436601 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   248 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although many studies have documented patterns of emotional distress in persons with HIV disease, there have been few controlled evaluations of therapy outcomes with these individuals. This research evaluated the effects of brief cognitive-behavioral or social support group therapy with this population.

METHOD: Sixty-eight depressed men with HIV infection were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: eight-session cognitive-behavioral groups, eight-session social support groups, or a comparison condition. Before and after intervention and at 3-month follow-up, all participants were individually assessed by using measures of symptoms of distress as well as substance use and sexual practices.

RESULTS: Relative to the comparison group, both the cognitive-behavioral and social support group therapies produced reductions in depression, hostility, and somatization. The social support intervention also produced reductions in overall psychiatric symptoms and tended to reduce maladaptive interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and frequency of unprotected receptive anal intercourse, while the cognitive-behavioral intervention resulted in less frequent illicit drug use during the follow-up period. Tests for clinical significance of change particularly underscored benefits of the social support group intervention both at postintervention and at long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Brief group therapy for depressed persons with HIV infection produced reductions in symptoms of distress. The two forms of therapy resulted in shared and unique improvements in functioning, although social support groups focused on emotional coping presented greater evidence of clinically significant change. As more persons contract HIV infection and live longer with HIV disease, further research is needed to evaluate outcomes of mental health services with these individuals.

Author List

Kelly JA, Murphy DA, Bahr GR, Kalichman SC, Morgan MG, Stevenson LY, Koob JJ, Brasfield TL, Bernstein BM

Author

Jeffrey A. Kelly PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Depressive Disorder
Follow-Up Studies
HIV Seropositivity
Humans
Male
Psychotherapy, Brief
Psychotherapy, Group
Social Support
Stress, Psychological
Treatment Outcome