Mediation analysis of health-related quality of life among people living with HIV infection in China

Nurs Health Sci. 2015 Jun;17(2):250-6. doi: 10.1111/nhs.12181. Epub 2014 Dec 11.

Abstract

The effects of stigma, social support, and depressive symptoms on health-related quality of life are well documented in the literature, but how these psychological factors interact with each other, and the combined effects when taken together on the health-related quality of life for people living with HIV, remain unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated 114 people living with HIV who were taking antiretroviral medication using the HIV/AIDS-related Stigma Scale (Chinese version), the Social Support Rating Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study-HIV health survey. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the mediation effect of the psychosocial factors on health-related quality of life. Results showed that stigma and social support did not have direct effects, but indirect effects on health-related quality of life through a full mediation effect of depressive symptoms. The results indicate that interventions targeting depression might be the most effective approach to improving health-related quality of life among people living with HIV who are taking antiretroviral medication in China.

Keywords: China; HIV; depression; quality of life; social support; stigma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / nursing
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Social Stigma
  • Social Support

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents