CONFOUNDING FACTORS IN THE MEASUREMENT OF DEPRESSION IN HIV

Our study investigates the nature of elevated depression scores on the MMPI-168 in human-immunodeficiency-virus- (HIV-)infected individuals. Comparison of MMPI scales, factor scores, and individual depression i tem endorsement rates were made between three groups of homosexual/bis exual men: asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositives (n = 156), symptomatic HIV -1 seropositives (n = 156), and a comparison group of HIV-1 seronegati ves (n = 117). Elevated scores were found on the MMPI depression scale for all three groups, with HIV infection and the presence of symptoms being associated with significant elevations in depression. Analyses of these elevated scores through the use of factor scores and individu al item analyses strongly suggest that endorsement of items related to physical symptoms and neuropsychological complaints accounted for muc h of the difference in overall depression scores between samples. Impl ications are discussed for measurement and diagnosis of depression in HIV populations.