Coping with AIDS

Abstract

The study examined the stress-coping styles of two groups of men with AIDS, men who have sex with men (MSM) (n = 61) and men who use injecting drugs (IDU) (n = 59). Men with both risks were excluded. The study investigated three styles of coping with AIDS; active-behavioral, active-cognitive, and avoidance coping and the association of coping style with three indicators of adjustment to AIDS; perceived social support, self-esteem, and mood disturbance.;It was found that those who coped in an active-behavioral manner had high levels of self-esteem, low levels of mood disturbance, and low levels of social support. Those who coped in an active-cognitive manner also had high levels of self-esteem and low levels of social support. Active-cognitive coping was not associated with measures of mood disturbance. Those who coped in an avoidance manner had high levels of social support and low levels of self-esteem. Avoidance coping was not associated with mood.;Avoidance coping was more common among injecting drug users.;It was found that the risk group associated with a particular coping style appeared to be an intervening variable in the association of coping styles and adjustment to AIDS. The MSM risk group was positively associated with active-behavioral and active-cognitive coping, lower social support, and lower mood disturbance The IDU risk group was associated with avoidance coping, lower measures of self-esteem, and higher measures of social support. IDU risk was not associated with mood disturbance.;Implications for direct social work practice utilizing preventive interventions were discussed.