FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DEPRESSION IN A HETEROGENEOUS HIV-INFECTED SAMPLE

The present study examined factors contributing to depressive symptoma tology in a low SES, heterogeneous HIV seropositive sample. The sample was comprised of 120 HIV-infected patients who completed psychosocial measures upon their initial visit to an outpatient HIV clinic. Length of time since HIV seropositive notification and HIV-related symptomat ology were also assessed. Social support, major life stress, and HIV-r elated symptomatology were significantly associated with depression. P erceived availability of social support accounted for the greatest var iance in depression scores. Length of time since seropositive notifica tion was not significantly associated with depression. These findings extend previous research with middle-class, homosexual, white males to the rapidly growing minority, heterosexual, and low SES populations a nd point to the need for the inclusion of social support interventions in the provision of services to these individuals.