ABSTRACT
This longitudinal study examined the psychosocial risk and protective factors involved in condom use among 265 male IDUs. Subjects were individually interviewed at two points in time using a structured questionnaire, which included psychosocial measures and questions about drug use and condom use. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression analyses. T1 condom use was the most powerful predictor of T2 condom use, with or without control on other variables. T1 family support for condom use, friends' support for condom use, adaptive coping with AIDS or the threat of AIDS, and planning to use condoms were significantly related to T2 condom use. Protective father factors enhanced the effects of other protective psychosocial factors, increasing T2 condom use. The results suggest several approaches for changing risk-taking sexual behavior in male IDUs: enhancing coping abilities, selecting peers who take fewer risks, and planning to use condoms.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , Condoms , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/psychology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/psychology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/transmission , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , HIV Seropositivity/psychology , Humans , Male , Risk Factors , Sick Role , Social SupportABSTRACT
The study examined the psychosocial determinants of coping ability in a cohort of 249 HIV positive and HIV negative female injection drug users (IDUs), using a cross-sectional retrospective design. Information collected using a structured questionnaire included data on psychosocial risk and protective factors in the personality, family, and peer domains, HIV status, and coping ability. Coping ability was associated with conventionality, greater control of emotions, less psychopathology, and family cohesion in both HIV positive and HIV negative subjects. The psychosocial factors affected coping in HIV positive and HIV negative IDUs via two different mediational models. The interactional findings supported the influence of risk/protective interactions in both groups. The findings demonstrate the impact of the interplay between personality factors and external support on coping ability in female IDUs.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , HIV Seronegativity , HIV Seropositivity , Substance Abuse, Intravenous , Women , Cross-Sectional Studies , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Education , Ethnicity , Family , Female , HIV Seropositivity/psychology , Humans , Male , Marital Status , Occupations , Personality , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/psychology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The authors examined the influences of domains of psychosocial risk and protective factors on male-partner condom use in a cobort of 209 female HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-negative (HIV-) injection drug users (IDUs) by use of a cross-sectional, retrospective design. Information collected from a structured questionnaire included data on psychosocial risk and protective factors in the personality, family, and peer domains; HIV status; and condom use. Among HIV+ IDUs, personality risk factors (e.g., unconventionality), family (e.g., low maternal identification), and peer factors were related to less male-partner condom use. Resources and condom availability were associated with greater male condom use with both HIV+ and HIV- IDUs. The psychosocial domains affected male condom use with both HIV+ and HIV- female IDU patients via two different mediational models. The findings suggest the need to use specific psychosocial interventions for risky sexual behavior among HIV+ and HIV- female IDUs.
Subject(s)
Condoms , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Risk-Taking , Sexual Behavior , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , HIV Infections/psychology , HIV Seronegativity , HIV Seropositivity , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The authors studied the influences of domains of psychosocial risk factors on needle-sharing with familiar people and with strangers in a cohort of female injecting drug users (IDUs). Subjects were 119 female IDUs, 46% of whom were HIV+. Subjects were given individually administered questionnaire interviews: Using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple hierarchical regression analyses, the authors found that personality, family, and peer attributes related to needle-sharing in women were similar to those found in men, with certain exceptions. The role of the family, particularly the Significant Other, was more important and proximal in its effect on needle-sharing behavior in women than in men. There was a main effect as well as a mediating effect of family in women, buffering risk factors leading to needle-sharing.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/transmission , HIV Seropositivity , Needle Sharing/psychology , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/psychology , Adult , Family Characteristics , Female , Humans , Personality Inventory , Risk Factors , Social ClassABSTRACT
The goals of this longitudinal, prospective study were to 1) examine coping strategies of HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-negative (HIV-) injecting drug users; 2) study the relationship of earlier social support to later coping in HIV+ men; and 3) examine the effects of earlier coping strategies on later psychosocial function. The authors studied 287 men given a structured questionnaire at two points in time. HIV+ subjects scored higher than HIV- subjects on measures of AIDS-related adaptive coping (social support) and AIDS-related maladaptive coping (aggression), but not on general coping. General coping was not specifically AIDS-related, but was correlated positively with adaptive coping and negatively with maladaptive coping. These results suggest that earlier general coping is related to the later avoidance of maladaptive coping, and they have specific implications for teaching preventive strategies. AIDS-related adaptive or maladaptive coping techniques may be used simultaneously, and coping behavior may change over time. Earlier social support is related positively to aspects of later coping in HIV+ men.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Prospective Studies , Social Support , Substance-Related Disorders , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
In this investigation of patterns of coping with AIDS or the threat of AIDS by male intravenous drug abusers (both HIV positive and HIV negative), psychosocial measures were used to study the effects of personality factors and social support. Correlational analyses and multiple hierarchical regression analyses were used to assess the results. The pathways by which psychosocial factors affected coping differed in HIV-positive and HIV-negative subjects. A mediational model best depicted the interrelation of personality, family, and peer factors among HIV-positive subjects. Anger and rebelliousness interfered with coping among HIV-negative subjects, but not among HIV-positive subjects. This cross-sectional study provides insight into the interplay of inner personality factors and external support factors and their effects on coping ability in male intravenous drug abusers. Differences between those with HIV and those at risk for HIV infection are discussed.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/psychology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/transmission , Adaptation, Psychological , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/psychology , Adult , HIV Seropositivity/diagnosis , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , PersonalityABSTRACT
We studied the psychosocial risk factors associated with Black, Hispanic, and White (N = 257) male intravenous drug abusers' needle-sharing behavior with familiar individuals and with strangers. Approximately half the subjects were HIV+. The findings supported a mediational model in that risk factors in the family domain were associated with peer and personality risk factors conducive to needle sharing that, in turn, were related to needle-sharing behavior.
