Challenges in Addressing Depression in HIV Research: Assessment, Cultural Context, and Methods

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jane M. Simoni, University of Washington; Steven A. Safren, Harvard University; Lisa E. Manhart, UW Center for AIDS and STD; Karen Lyda, University of Colorado Denver; Cynthia I. Grossman, National Institute of Mental Health; Deepa Rao, University of Washington; Matthew J. Mimiaga, Fenway Community Health; Frank Y Wong, Emory University; Sheryl L. Catz, Group Health Research Institute; Michael B. Blank, University of Pennsylvania; Ralph Diclemente, Emory University; Ira B. Wilson, Tufts Medical Center
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-02-01
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature): Springer Open Choice Hybrid Journals
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
• Final Published Version (URL): https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-010-9836-3
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: AIDS and Behavior
• ISSN: 1090-7165
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 376
• End Page: 388
• Grant/Funding Information: Portions of some of the investigators’ time were supported by the University of Washington Center for AIDS Research (CFAR; P30 AI027757), which is supported by the following NIH Institutes and Centers: NIAID; NCI; NIMH; NIDA; NICHD; NHLBI; NCCAM.
• Keywords: Depression; SOMATIC SYMPTOMS; POSITIVE PREGNANT-WOMEN; SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS; Social Sciences, Biomedical; HIV/AIDS; Measurement; OLDER-ADULTS; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; Biomedical Social Sciences; MENTAL-HEALTH; Research methods; Social Sciences; QUALITY-OF-LIFE; INFECTED INDIVIDUALS; ANXIETY DISORDERS; MAJOR DEPRESSION; RISK BEHAVIOR
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Mental Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Depression is one of the most common co-morbidities of HIV infection. It negatively impacts self-care, quality of life, and biomedical outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH) and may interfere with their ability to benefit from health promotion interventions. State-of-the-science research among PLWH, therefore, must address depression. To guide researchers, we describe the main diagnostic, screening, and symptom-rating measures of depression, offering suggestions for selecting the most appropriate instrument. We also address cultural considerations in the assessment of depression among PLWH, emphasizing the need to consider measurement equivalence and offering strategies for developing measures that are valid cross-culturally. Finally, acknowledging the high prevalence of depression among PLWH, we provide guidance to researchers on incorporating depression into the theoretical framework of their studies and employing procedures that account for participants with depression.