Stress and Transtheoretical Model indicators of stress management behaviors in HIV-positive women

Abstract

Objective: Women are particularly prone to stress with respect to living with HIV. Stress management behaviors can mediate the stress response and improve health outcomes in HIV-positive individuals. The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to examine stress and Transtheoretical Model (TTM) indicators of stress management behaviors in HIV-positive women. Methods: 126 HIV-positive women recruited from diverse HIV-care clinics in northeast Ohio completed standardized self-report research instruments to measure stress, stress management behaviors, stage of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance (pros and cons). Results: Women reported higher levels of stress in the later phase of HIV infection ( P<.05). Highly stressed women in this study reported infrequently using stress management behaviors and a low level of perceived efficacy to manage stress although they perceived the pros of managing stress to be high ( P<.01). Stress management behaviors were significantly related to stage of change ( P<.01), self-efficacy ( P<.01), and the cons of managing stress ( P<.05). Graphed patterns of decisional balance examined by stage of change and stress management behavior were atypical in this sample. Conclusions: Clinicians and researchers can use the TTM to describe behavioral indicators of stress management in HIV+ women. However, further research is needed to more fully understand behavioral processes HIV+ women can use to adopt and maintain stress management behaviors.