Coping, social support, and attachment style as psychosocial correlates of adjustment in men and women with HIV/AIDS

Examined psychosocial correlates of adjustment to HIV/AIDS in 137 HIV-positive persons (mean age 40.5 yrs; 78 men and 59 women). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine relationships between perceived quality of general social support, three attachment styles, and three coping styles with total score on Positive States of Mind Scale (PSOMS), a measure of adjustment. The influence of demographic and medical status variables was also accounted for. PSOMS total score was significantly associated with greater satisfaction with social support related to HIV/AIDS, more secure attachment style, and less use of behavioral disengagement in coping with HIV/AIDS. These results indicate that for people with HIV or AIDS, those individuals who are more satisfied with their relationships, securely engaged with others, and more directly engaged with their illness are more likely to experience positive adjustment. Implications for physical health outcome and opportunities for intervention are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved).