TY - JOUR
T1 - The psychosocial impact of HIV infection in women
AU - Pergami, A.
AU - Gala, C.
AU - Burgess, A.
AU - Durbano, F.
AU - Zanello, D.
AU - Riccio, M.
AU - Invernizzi, G.
AU - Catalan, J.
PY - 1993/10
Y1 - 1993/10
N2 - The aim of the investigation was to study the prevalence of current and past psychiatric morbidity and psychosocial problems in HIV seropositive (HIV +ve) asymptomatic women. A cross-sectional controlled study including 57 HIV +ve women belonging to CDC group II and III (43 intravenous drug users and 14 non-IVDUs heterosexuals) and 23 HIV -ve women (15 intravenous drug users and 8 non-IVDUs heterosexuals) is reported. Outcome measures included, past psychiatric history, current psychological status (Zung Anxiety and Depression scales, Symptom Check List 90-Revised), Social Supports and Locus of Control Scales, and information on changes in work, social and sexual life after HIV testing. Results showed that HIV +ve women differed very little from HIV -ve controls regarding outcome measures and indeed for some variables HIV infected women had lower levels of psychological morbidity. Multiple regression analyses showed that alcohol misuse and a predominantly external locus of control accounted for the 29% of the variance of psychiatric distress (F = 9.23, p < 0.0006). The implications of the findings are discussed.
AB - The aim of the investigation was to study the prevalence of current and past psychiatric morbidity and psychosocial problems in HIV seropositive (HIV +ve) asymptomatic women. A cross-sectional controlled study including 57 HIV +ve women belonging to CDC group II and III (43 intravenous drug users and 14 non-IVDUs heterosexuals) and 23 HIV -ve women (15 intravenous drug users and 8 non-IVDUs heterosexuals) is reported. Outcome measures included, past psychiatric history, current psychological status (Zung Anxiety and Depression scales, Symptom Check List 90-Revised), Social Supports and Locus of Control Scales, and information on changes in work, social and sexual life after HIV testing. Results showed that HIV +ve women differed very little from HIV -ve controls regarding outcome measures and indeed for some variables HIV infected women had lower levels of psychological morbidity. Multiple regression analyses showed that alcohol misuse and a predominantly external locus of control accounted for the 29% of the variance of psychiatric distress (F = 9.23, p < 0.0006). The implications of the findings are discussed.
UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/002239999390097Y
U2 - 10.1016/0022-3999(93)90097-Y
DO - 10.1016/0022-3999(93)90097-Y
M3 - Article
SN - 0022-3999
VL - 37
SP - 687
EP - 696
JO - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
JF - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
IS - 7
ER -