The Role of Social Support and Psychological Resources in Depression in People Living with HIV/AIDS: Examining the Mediating Role of Mastery and Self-esteem

• Main Author: Lyons, Sarah Jane
• Other Authors: Gillis, Joseph Roy
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: HIV/AIDS; Social Support; Depression; Mastery; Self-Esteem; 0622; 0621
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/24230

The present study explored the influence of social support and psychological resources on depression in people living with HIV/AIDS. The mediating role of mastery and self-esteem was examined. Factor analysis of the MOS-SSS supported three dimensions of social support. Findings from a predominantly gay male sample of unemployed individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the Toronto-area indicated high levels of depressive symptomatology, which were negatively related to emotional/informational support, tangible support, and affectionate/interpersonal support. Mediation analyses indicated partial support of the Cognitive Adaptation Model, revealing significant mediating effects of mastery on the relationship between social support and depressive symptomatology. Self-esteem was not found to be a significant mediator of this relationship. Findings suggest the need for social support interventions that help to strengthen mastery in individuals living with HIV/AIDS in order to reduce depression. Attention should be paid to self-esteem and its relationship with gender and employment status in this population.