Coping strategies of HIV-positive and HIV-negative female injection drug users: a longitudinal study
Brook, D.W.; Brook, J.S.; Richter, L.; Whiteman, M.; Win, P.T.; Masci, J.R.; Roberto, J.
Aids Education and Prevention Official Publication of the International Society for Aids Education 11(5): 373-388
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0899-9546 PMID: 10555622 Document Number: 506857
This study longitudinally examined the psychosocial correlates of coping strategies among 165 HIV positive and 179 HIV negative female injection drug users (IDUs). Participants were interviewed twice using a structured questionnaire, with a 6-month interval between interviews. The questionnaire included psychosocial measures as well as measures of general coping and specific HIV-related coping. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. The findings indicated that favorable factors in the psychosocial domains at Time 1 were significantly associated with an increased likelihood at Time 2 of the use of general coping and specific adaptive coping strategies, such as problem solving and seeking social support, and with a decreased likelihood at Time 2 of the use of maladaptive coping strategies, such as aggression and the use of illicit drugs. These findings highlight particular areas of psychosocial functioning that can be targeted by intervention programs to promote adaptive coping and minimize maladaptive coping among HIV positive and HIV negative female IDUs.