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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Sabrina Volpone¹, Chwee-Lye Chng, PhD², Mark Vosvick, PhD¹, and Doug Henry, PhD³. (1) Psychology Department, University of North Texas, P.O Box 310769, Denton, TX 76203, 9405652069, Chng@unt.edu, (2) Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 310769, Denton, TX 76203-0769, (3) Anthropology Department, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 310409, Denton, TX 76203

Background People living with HIV/AIDS (PLH) are more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) than those with other kinds of illnesses. Self-esteem and self-efficacy may influence PLH in their decision to use CAM. Although acupuncture is a popular form of CAM therapy among PLH, its role in promoting mental health has limited research attention. We hypothesize a positive relationship between self-esteem, self-efficacy, CAM use and mental health in PLH.

Methods In this cross-sectional, correlational pilot study we recruited 40 PLH (20 females, ages 31-61 [M=46;SD=7]), from AIDS Service Organizations in Texas. Inclusion criteria were an HIV+ status, self-reported use of CAM and being 18 years or older. Ethnic proportions (65% African American, 30% Caucasian, 5% Hispanic) reflect the incidence of HIV in the area.

Results Current acupuncture use (M=4; range 1-36 months) was reported by 28% of participants. Acupuncture users (63%) also report depression. After confirming normal distributions and checking for multicollinearity in our data, we conducted an exploratory hierarchical regression analysis (adj.R2 =.47 [F(3,36)=3.878,p<.005]) that suggests self-efficacy (t=3.116,p<.005) and self-esteem (t=2.103,p<.05) are both positively correlated with mental health. Although these findings support two of our hypotheses, our last hypothesis was not supported. Acupuncture use (t =-2.296,p<.05) was inversely correlated with mental health. Our regression model accounted for 47% of variance in mental health.

Conclusion Acupuncture use though useful in symptom management in PLH may not be beneficial to mental health in PLH. Self-esteem and self-efficacy enhancement may be manipulated to contribute to improvements in mental health of PLH.

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