Social support, AIDS-related symptoms, and depression among gay men.

Examined the impact of social support and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related conditions on depression among 508 gay men participating in the San Francisco Men's Health Study, a population-based prospective study of single men (aged 25–54 yrs). The number of HIV-related symptoms experienced significantly predicted depression cross-sectionally and 1 yr later. Satisfaction with each of 3 types of social support (emotional, practical, informational) was inversely correlated with depression. Men who were more satisfied with the social support they received were less likely to show increased depression 1 yr later. Degree of satisfaction with informational support appeared especially critical in buffering the stress associated with experiencing HIV symptoms. These findings offer valuable insight in understanding the psychological needs of gay men confronting the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) crisis and have important practical implications for designing mental health services to meet those needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)