| Abstract: | This research studies the relation between social support and depression levels within a group of HIV-positive adults from a low-middle social-economic level in Lima, Peru: 14 women and 41 men between 18 and 58 years of age. Beck's Depression Inventory was used to study the levels of depression. The Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule was used to study the levels of perceived and effective social support, as well as the necessity for such. The results were also correlated with the variables gender and sexual orientation, participation or no participation in a mutual assistance group (MAG), and the presence of symptoms. The results indicated that depression and social support vary depending on sex, sexual orientation, or whether the person belongs to a MAG. |
