Correlates of change in depressive symptomatology among gay men with AIDS

Longitudinal data from a sample of gay men living with AIDS (N = 128) were used to assess the relationship of change in various individual and situational correlates with change in depression. Results of regression analyses suggest that changes in physical symptomatology, in the number of bed days, and in the perceived sufficiency of social support are significantly correlated with concurrent change in depressive symptomatology. There was no evidence of change in the perceived sufficiency of social support buffering or amplifying the relationship of change in physical symptomatology with change in depression. The findings illustrate the need for the use of panel data (i.e., repeated assessments of the same individuals) and the assessment of change in both distress and its correlates among individuals living with AIDS.