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Caregiver burden in HIV-positive and HIV-negative partners of men with AIDS
S Folkman1, M A Chesney, M Cooke
1Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94105.
Insights
HIV-positive caregivers reported higher burden than HIV-negative caregivers. Religiosity and spirituality were key factors, suggesting a complex relationship between HIV status, caregiving, and psychological well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Caregiver burden is a significant issue for partners of individuals with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- Previous research suggests that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity may influence caregiver experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine factors associated with caregiver burden in partners of men with AIDS.
- To compare burden levels and coping mechanisms between HIV-positive and HIV-negative caregivers.
- To investigate the influence of HIV serostatus on caregiver burden.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 82 HIV-positive (HIV+) and 162 HIV-negative (HIV-) partners of men with AIDS.
- Data collection on caregiver burden, religiosity/spirituality, income, and coping strategies (positive reappraisal, cognitive escape-avoidance, social support).
- Statistical analysis to compare groups and identify predictors of burden.
Main Results:
- HIV+ caregivers reported significantly higher burden than HIV- caregivers.
- HIV+ caregivers were more religious/spiritual, had lower income, and utilized more positive reappraisal, cognitive escape-avoidance, and social support.
- Comparisons with HIV+ partners of healthy men indicated that HIV seropositivity, not caregiving itself, explained most differences between caregiver groups.
- Religiosity/spirituality was the only variable associated with HIV seropositivity that independently predicted burden in HIV+ caregivers.
Conclusions:
- While HIV+ caregivers experience greater burden, the link between HIV seropositivity and caregiver burden is relatively weak.
- Religiosity and spirituality play a notable role in moderating burden among HIV+ caregivers.
- Caregiving for a partner with AIDS presents unique challenges influenced by both individual health status and psychosocial factors.
Abstract:
This study examines factors associated with caregiver burden in 82 HIV-positive (HIV+) and 162 HIV-negative (HIV-) partners of men with AIDS. We expected HIV+ caregivers to report more burden than HIV- caregivers because of the toll of their disease on their resources. HIV+ caregivers did report more burden and, compared with the HIV- caregivers, they were more religious or spiritual, had less income, and coped by using more positive reappraisal and cognitive escape-avoidance and by seeking social support. Comparisons of HIV+ caregivers with 61 HIV+ partners of healthy men indicated that most differences between HIV+ and HIV- caregivers were associated with HIV seropositivity rather than caregiving. However, of the variables associated with HIV seropositivity, only religiosity or spirituality contributed independently to burden in HIV+ caregivers, suggesting a relatively weak link between HIV seropositivity and caregiver burden. The model explained 62% of the variance in burden in HIV+ caregivers and 36% of the variance in HIV- caregivers.