TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychosocial and Demographic Correlates of Drug Use in a Sample of HIV-Positive Adults Ages 50 and Older
AU - Siconolfi, Daniel E.
AU - Halkitis, Perry N.
AU - Barton, Staci C.
AU - Kingdon, Molly J.
AU - Perez-Figueroa, Rafael E.
AU - Arias-Martinez, Vanessa
AU - Karpiak, Stephen
AU - Brennan-Ing, Mark
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - The prevalence of HIV among adults 50 and older in the USA is increasing as a result of improvements in treatment and detection of HIV infection. Substance use by this population has implications for physical and mental health outcomes. We examined patterns of demographics, mental health, and recent substance use in a diverse sample of heterosexual, bisexual, and gay adults 50 and older living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in New York City. The most commonly used substances were cigarettes or alcohol; however, the majority of the sample did not report recent use of marijuana, poppers, or hard drugs (crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, heroin, ecstasy, GHB, ketamine, and LSD or PCP). Statistically significant associations between substance use and psychological states (well-being and loneliness) were generally weak, and depression scores were not significantly related to use; instead, drug use was associated with gender/sexual orientation. The study observations support addressing substance use specific to subpopulations within PLWHA.
AB - The prevalence of HIV among adults 50 and older in the USA is increasing as a result of improvements in treatment and detection of HIV infection. Substance use by this population has implications for physical and mental health outcomes. We examined patterns of demographics, mental health, and recent substance use in a diverse sample of heterosexual, bisexual, and gay adults 50 and older living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in New York City. The most commonly used substances were cigarettes or alcohol; however, the majority of the sample did not report recent use of marijuana, poppers, or hard drugs (crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, heroin, ecstasy, GHB, ketamine, and LSD or PCP). Statistically significant associations between substance use and psychological states (well-being and loneliness) were generally weak, and depression scores were not significantly related to use; instead, drug use was associated with gender/sexual orientation. The study observations support addressing substance use specific to subpopulations within PLWHA.
KW - Aging
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - Mental health
KW - Substance use
KW - Well-being
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84886609784&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84886609784&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11121-012-0338-6
DO - 10.1007/s11121-012-0338-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 23408281
AN - SCOPUS:84886609784
SN - 1389-4986
VL - 14
SP - 618
EP - 627
JO - Prevention Science
JF - Prevention Science
IS - 6
ER -
