Promoting Adaptive Coping by Persons With HIV Disease: Evaluation of a Patient/Partner Intervention Model

This study evaluated an intervention to facilitate adaptive coping by persons living with HIV (PLWH), with the participation of their cohabiting partners as a dimension of the intervention. An experimental design with randomization was used, and 84 PLWH and their partners were recruited. The intervention was based on a psychosocial educational model that incorporated four 2-hour sessions focused on communication, stress appraisal, adaptive coping strategies, and building social support. Both members of the dyad were included in each session. The comparison control included four supportive phone calls to the PLWH alone. Data were collected from both the PLWH and their partner in each of the two groups at baseline, immediately following the intervention, and 3 months and 6 months posttreatment. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, with change scores from the partner data being covariates. Results indicated that the design was a feasible model, which demonstrated potential for the management of stress and possibly problems such as adherence in PLWH. A manual was developed as a part of this intervention and is currently available.

Key words: coping, emotional response, social support, experimental design, dyad, HIV, AIDS