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Abstract #149859

William Q. Hua, BS¹, Mark A. Vosvick, PhD², and Chwee-Lye Chng, PhD¹. (1) Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 310769, Denton, TX 76203-0769, 405-627-3454, willlhua@unt.edu, (2) Psychology, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 311280, Denton, TX 76203-1280

Advancements in research and treatment, such as the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), have helped to significantly decrease the number of deaths as well as improve the quality of life of those infected by HIV or AIDS. To be effective, HAART requires strict adherence to complex regimens to manage HIV/AIDS. We investigated the association of medical adherence to perceived stress, maladaptive coping behaviors, and medical variables in a sample of HIV+ adults. We hypothesized that higher stress and greater use of maladaptive coping behaviors lead to lower adherence. Using data from 205 participants (103 males, 102 females; 50% African-Americans, 34% Euro-Americans, 13% Hispanic-Americans, and 3% others) we tested a model using hierarchical regression analysis in three blocks (medical adherence serves as the dependent variable). The first two blocks were demographic and medical variables, respectively entered stepwise. In a third block we simultaneously entered perceived stress and five maladaptive coping strategies (self-distraction, denial, substance use, behavioral disengagement, and venting). Although lacking significance on its own, maladaptive coping behaviors had a significant effect on medical adherence when mediated by perceived stress. Maladaptive coping and perceived stress as a mediator, with general HIV symptoms present and number of HIV-related diseases contracted, explained 23% of variance in medical adherence (adjusted R2=0.231, F=6.833, p<.001). To help enhance client adherence to HIV medication, we should consider implementing stress management programs for them, and discouraging their use of maladaptive behaviors, such as denial and substance use, as coping strategies.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain how poor compliance to HIV medications can alter their effectiveness for persons with HIV-AIDS.
• Describe the role of stress and maladaptive coping behaviors on adherence to HIV medications for persons with HIV-AIDS.
• Understand relevant variables and techniques that may help a person with HIV-AIDS enhance their adherence to HIV medications and subsequently, improve their quality of life.

Keywords: Adherence, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.