COPING AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AS DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN HIV AIDS/

Coping, social support and quality of life (QOL) were examined in 120 HIV+ people (mean age = 37). The sample came from ambulatory clinics a nd drop-in centres in Toronto: 29% had AIDS, 35% were HIV symptomatic, and 35% were asymptomatic. Information was gathered from self-adminis tered questionnaires. Respondents had good levels of social support an d used a variety of coping strategies. Their scores on the behavioural and subjective measures of QOL were somewhat below average. The illne ss-related measure indicated that their diagnosis had an almost neutra l effect on QOL and showed several areas where QOL had been positively affected Data from male subjects only (n = 107) were analysed using a hierarchical block regression for each QOL measure. Income, emotional social support, and problern-oriented and perception-oriented coping were positively related to QOL. Tangible social support and emotion-or iented coping were negatively related and symptom severity was not rel ated at all. Close friends provided most types of support. Although re spondents indicated high levels of satisfaction with support generally , they expressed a need for more emotional support. Unemployment was h igh despite participants being relatively healthy and well-educated.