Depression, social support and health related quality of life of newly diagnosed HIV positive adults Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between depression, social support and health related quality of life of newly diagnosed HIV positive patient receiving ART. A sample size of 169 adults newly diagnosed with HIV was used. The results revealed that depression significantly predicted overall general health (β = -.609, t = -9.913, p < .001), physical health limitation (β = - .427, t = -.427, p < .001), physical health problems (β = -.522, t = -.7.895, p < .001), and pain (β = -.642, t = -.10.779, p < .001). But, not significant predictor of general health condition (β = .090, t = 1.159, p > .248). The results revealed that depression significantly predicted social support from family (β= -.332, t = -4.549, p < .001), and significant others (β = -.360, t = -.4.988, p < .001), but did not significantly predict social support from friends (β = -.026, t = -342, p >.733). The results showed that social support significantly predicted overall general health (β = .265, t = 3.550, p <.001) and pain (β = .224, t = 2.968, p < .003), but did not significantly predict physical health limitation (β = .048, t = .612, p > .541), physical health problems (β = .083, t = 1.072, p > .285), and general health condition (β = -.136, t = -1.765, p > .079). The negative results imply that lower depression levels were associated with better overall general health, reduced physical limitations, fewer health problems, and less pain. Decreasing social support correlated with increased support from family, friends, and significant others. The positive results imply that higher depression levels were linked to poorer general health, while increased social support was associated with greater severity of physical limitations, health problems, and pain. The results also demonstrate that the link between depression and general health is fully influenced by social support from family and significant others, with no mediation by support from friends. Depression's association with overall general health, physical limitations, health problems, and pain is partially mediated by family and significant others' support, but not by friends' support. Furthermore, social support from friends does not mediate the connection between depression and any aspects of physical health in the quality of life. In conclusion, depression was significantly associated with overall general health, physical limitations, health problems, and pain. Depression also predicted the perception of social support from family and significant other. Notably, social support from family and significant others fully mediated the relationship between depression and general health, while partially mediating the connection between depression and other health-related aspects.