AIDS-related grief and coping with loss among HIV-positive men and women. J Behav Med 2003 Apr;26(2):165-81
Date
06/05/2003Pubmed ID
12776385DOI
10.1023/a:1023086723137Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0038033110 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 50 CitationsAbstract
AIDS-related grief was examined and its association with coping among HIV-positive men and women explored. AIDS-related grief, psychological distress and coping were examined among a sample of 268 HIV-infected individuals, diverse with respect to gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Participants exhibited elevated scores on measures of grief reaction and psychological distress including depressive symptoms, anxiety, and traumatic stress related to their losses. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that severity of grief reaction was associated with escape-avoidance and self-controlling coping strategies, type of loss, depressive symptoms, and history of injection drug use. Interventions are needed to enhance coping and reduce psychological distress associated with the unique bereavement experienced by people living with HIV- and AIDS-related grief.
Author List
Sikkema KJ, Kochman A, DiFranceisco W, Kelly JA, Hoffmann RGAuthors
Wayne J. DiFranceisco Research Scientist II in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinJeffrey 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
Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAdaptation, Psychological
Adult
Bereavement
Depression
Female
HIV Infections
HIV Seropositivity
Health Status
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
New York
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Regression Analysis
Social Support
Stress, Psychological
Wisconsin
