[Mediating effect of social support and family function on mental health of women infected with HIV].

Objective

To explore the mediating role of social support and family function on the mental health of HIV-infected women, and provide evidence for the improvement of the mental health of vulnerable populations.

Methods

Based on a cohort of HIV-infected women, 373 HIV-infected women were recruited from 4 research sites in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province in 2022 for baseline survey, and annual follow-up was conducted in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The mental health of HIV-infected women was evaluated in multiple dimensions by using the Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Family Functioning Scale, and χ2 test and χ2 linear trend test were used to analyze the differences in social support, family function, and mental health among HIV-infected women with different characteristics and analyze the changes from 2022 to 2024. A structural equation model was constructed by using software Amos 29.0 to analyze the mediating effect and path of perceived social support and family function on the occurrence of depression in HIV infected women.

Results

Perceived social support indirectly reduced the risk for depression by enhancing family function (β=0.443, P<0.001). Good family function could directly reduce the risk for depression (β=-0.152, P=0.007). There were significant area specific differences, with a lower depression detection rate in Guangxi than in Yunnan (P<0.001), and a relatively higher depression detection rate in those with urban household registration (β=0.131, P=0.011).

Conclusions

Perceived social support and family function are key mediating factors in alleviating depression in HIV-infected women. It is suggested to strengthen community support networks, enhance family function, and integrate multi-dimensional intervention to improve the mental health of vulnerable populations.