mental health AIDS

Summer 2007 Newsletter / Volume 8, Issue 4

HIV Assessment News

Psychiatric Assessment

Carrico et al. (2007) examined rates and correlates of suicidal ideation among a diverse sample of 2,909 people living with HIV in four U.S. cities (Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, and San Francisco).

Approximately one-fifth (19%) of participants reported thoughts of suicide in the past week. ... [P]articipants who were not heterosexual, rated HIV-related symptoms and medication side effects as more severe, reported regular marijuana use, and described elevated affective symptoms of depression were those who were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Conversely, participants who identified as Hispanic/Latino, individuals in a primary romantic relationship, and those who reported greater self-efficacy for coping were less likely to report suicidal ideation. (p. 1199)

Carrico and colleagues conclude that "[a]lthough longitudinal investigations are necessary to replicate these findings, results from the present study will assist with identifying HIV-positive individuals who may be at an increased risk of suicidal ideation so that they may ... be assessed regularly and referred for psychological treatment when appropriate" (p. 1202).

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