“HIV Is not My Biggest Problem”: The Impact of HIV and Chronic Burden on Depression in Women at Risk for Aids

This prospective study followed 350 African American, Latina, and European American women over a 6-month period to assess the relation of HIV status, socioeconomic status (SES), and chronic burden to depression over time, and examined the moderation of these effects by psychosocial resources (social support, optimism, and coping style). HIV status and ethnicity were significantly associated with depressed mood at each time point, but not with change over time. Chronic burden and low SES (Latinas only) were significant predictors of changes in depression. Although psychosocial resources were associated with lower levels of depression, they did not moderate changes in depression over time. The significance of chronic burdens for understanding the psychosocial impact of HIV is discussed.