PERSONAL, FAMILY, AND HEALTH-RELATED CORRELATES OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN MOTHERS WITH HIV

This study examined longitudinally depressive symptoms in 54 HIV-infec ted mothers with infants. The contribution of selected personal and fa mily characteristics and health-related factors to depressive symptoms also was explored. Most of the women were single and African American , and most were on public assistance. Data were collected when the inf ants were approximately 3, 6, and 12 months of age. About a third of t he mothers were at risk for depression, as indicated by Center for Epi demiologic Studies Depression Scale scores above the cutoff. The best predictors of depressive symptoms were feelings of stigma, self-percep tions of health, and physical symptoms, all factors associated with HI V. The findings have implications for helping HIV-infected mothers wit h depressive symptoms and stigma related to HIV.