The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43585

Michael Reece, PhD, MPH, Erin Koers, and Tania Basta, MPH(c). Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER Building 116, 1025 E. Seventh Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109, 703-402-9580, mireece@indiana.edu

Objective: In order to develop effective HIV-related programs and services for women, it is important to assess and respond to the unique social, cultural, and familial variables that influence a woman’s physical and psychological well being. Method: Data from 228 women living with HIV were analyzed to assess the extent to which factors related to parenthood were associated with mental health status. Participants had self-enrolled into care over a seven-year period at an inner-city mental health clinic. Results: Women, who were also mothers, when compared to their non-mother peers, had significantly higher levels of psychological distress on measures of depression (t=11.3, p< .001), hostility (t=5.33, p< .001), and a global, composite measure of psychological distress (t=8.89, p< .001). Women who reported that the child lived in the same home as they did presented for care with significantly higher levels of psychological distress as indicated on the global distress measure (t=3087, p < .001). However, women who reported that the children did not live in the same residence as they did presented for care with higher symptoms of depression (t=-2.41, p < .05). Conclusions: Among women likely to access HIV-related mental health care, variables related to children are associated with differences in mental health status. As HIV service providers continue to develop services for women, it will be important to include components that assess, and respond to, unique clinical and social challenges that may exist among women who are also parents.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify the psychological distress patterns of women living with HIV who self-enroll into mental health care.
• Participants will be able to describe associations between parental variables and mental health status.
• Participants will be able to describe strategies for assessing, and responding to, the unique mental health issues of women with children.

Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Mental Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.