CORRELATES OF CHANGE IN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY AMONG GAY MEN WITH AIDS

Longitudinal data from a sample of gay men living with AIDS (N = 128) were used lo assess the relationship of change in various individual a nd situational correlates with change in depression. Results of regres sion analyses suggest that changes in physical symptomatology, in the number of bed days, and in the perceived sufficiency of social support are significantly correlated with concurrent change in depressive sym ptomatology, There was no evidence of change in the perceived sufficie ncy of social support buffering or amplifying the relationship of chan ge in physical symptomatology with change in depression. The findings illustrate the need for the use of panel data (i.e., repeated assessme nts of the same individuals) and the assessment of change in both dist ress and its correlates among individuals living with AIDS.