This study examined coping behaviors of people with AIDS, using a larg
e sample (N = 736) that was both geographically and sociodemographical
ly diverse. In-person interviews were conducted with people receiving
AIDS-related medical or social services; follow-up interviews were con
ducted approximately 11 months later. Factor analyses of 16 coping beh
aviors revealed three factors: Positive Coping, Seeking Social Support
, and Avoidance Coping. Respondents with a history of injected drug us
e, as compared with gay or bisexual men, had higher scores for Avoidan
ce Coping and lower scores for Positive Coping. Each coping scale was
significantly related to depressive symptoms in cross-sectional analys
es. In longitudinal analyses that controlled for prior depressive symp
toms, Positive Coping was significantly related to decreases in sympto
ms.