The relationship between HIV classification and depression and suicidal intent

This nonexperimental study used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hopelessness Scale (HS), and a Demographic Data Sheet (DDS) to collect data on a convenience sample of 80 HIV-positive subjects. Subjects were classified into three groups; HIV-positive asymptomatic (19, 24%), HIV-positive symptomatic (26, 33%), and AIDS (35, 43%). A significant difference was seen between HIV-positive symptomatic subjects (means = 9.6923, n = 26), subjects with AIDS (means = 8.8571, n = 35), and subjects who were HIV-positive asymptomatic (means = 13.2105, n = 19) on measures of suicidal intent. HIV-positive symptomatic subjects (means = 23.1538, n = 26) and subjects with AIDS (means = 23.1286, n = 35) were significantly more depressed than HIV-positive asymptomatic subjects (means = 14.8421, n = 19).