Characterizing Social Support: Global and Specific Social Support Experiences of HIV-Infected Youth

Abstract This study examined the nature, type, and source of social support available to a diverse group of HIV-infected adolescents and the relationship between social support and depression. Data were obtained from the baseline assessment of Adolescent Impact, a behavioral intervention conducted in 2003–2006 involving 166 HIV-infected youth, ages 13–21, in care at four urban medical centers. Youth completed the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, Beck Depression Inventory, and questions about HIV-specific social support including locus (family and friends) and type (structural, perceived, instrumental, and satisfaction). Linear regression modeling examined the relation between HIV-specific and general perceived social support, and between social support and depression. Participants were predominately minority (72% black and 20% Hispanic); perinatally infected (60% PIY), and female (53%). Most had someone to either remind them to attend (71%) or to bring them to clinic (60%), a majority family ...