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The Influence of HIV-Related Support Groups on Survival in Women Who Lived With HIV

A Pilot Study

Received January 28, 1999; revised May 20, 1999; accepted July 29, 1999. From the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) School of Social Welfare, the UCB School of Public Health, and the UCB Department of Psychology; the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, the UCSD Department of Psychiatry, and the Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSD School of Medicine, and the Veteran Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, California. Address reprint requests to Dr. Summers, Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag #92019, Auckland, New Zealand; e-mail: j.summers{at}auckland.ac.nz

To determine the effect of support groups on survival, the authors retrospectively studied 21 HIV-seropositive women who died during the course of participation in a natural history study of HIV. Groups were composed of women who self-selected HIV support groups before death (n=11) and a comparison group (n=10). Survival analysis found group participation to be associated with increased longevity (73 months vs. 45 months; P=0.011). Proportional-hazards regression demonstrated that HIV-related support groups and smaller family size significantly influenced survival (P=0.0002). Factors related to group participation and ways in which support groups might promote longevity are discussed.

Key Words: AIDS/HIV • Support Groups

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