The effects of social support and network orientation in the stress-illness relationship of HIV-infected individuals
Abstract
A sample of 83 HIV-infected individuals completed a questionnaire assessing stressful life events, social support, network orientation, physical symptoms, and depression. Path analyses were conducted to examine the relationship of stressful life events, social support, and network orientation to physical symptoms and depression. Of particular interest was the relationship of the functions of social support: appraisal, belonging, self-esteem, and tangible. The results indicated a relationship between stress and physical symptoms and depression. No buffering effects of social support were found. Evidence of a main effect between social support and depression was found with self-esteem having a significant relationship with depression. No relationship between network orientation and physical symptoms and depression was found although a relationship was found between network orientation and social support.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
MacDermid, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
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