Depression in family of HIV positive patients

Abstract

To determine the persistence of depression in families of HIV positive persons in relation to gender, age, social characteristics and family structure. This retrospective study included 124 family members of HIV positive people, who were in counseling work at the Institute for Mental Health in Belgrade during 2010. The level of depression established by Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton scale was increased in female family members, especially mothers with HIV. Depressive symptoms are more present among the unemployed members and those who assess the quality of life as poor and unhappy with their health. HIV infection is the disease of modern nation and it is associated with social isolation and stigmatization of people with HIV and their families. This family status may lead to depression which affects the quality of life of the whole family. These studies have shown that the level of depression increases with female members of the family which lives with HIV infection and it is not the HIV status, but their social status that affects the level of depression in the family. Generally speaking, prevention must have support from different levels of social community in order to reduce further development of depression in families with HIV infection.