A cross-sectional relationship between social capital, self-compassion, and perceived HIV symptoms
Date
Authors
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7538-5780
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4400-9432
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4106-6498
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6066-1853
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5744-6279
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1883-8509
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9519-7587
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3551-8016
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9026-4189
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0438-2037
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8997-3671
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4251-6801
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8072-6244
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8710-6139
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4592-3525
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9785-6467
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2741-7821
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4277-187X
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7538-5780
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4400-9432
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4106-6498
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6066-1853
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5744-6279
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1883-8509
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9519-7587
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3551-8016
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9026-4189
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0438-2037
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8997-3671
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4251-6801
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8072-6244
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8710-6139
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4592-3525
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9785-6467
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2741-7821
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Context Individual resources of social capital and self-compassion are associated with health behaviors and perceived symptoms, suggesting that both are positive resources that can be modified to improve a person's symptom experience.
Objectives The aim was to examine the relationship between self-compassion and social capital and its impact on current HIV symptom experience in adult people living with HIV (PLWH). We further explored the impact of age on this relationship.
Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2182 PLWH at 20 sites in five countries. Social capital, self-compassion, and HIV symptom experience were evaluated using valid and reliable scales. To account for inflated significance associated with a large sample size, we took a random sample of 28% of subjects (n = 615) and conducted correlation analyses and zero-inflated Poisson regression, controlling for known medical and demographic variables impacting HIV symptom experience.
Results Controlling for age, sex at birth, year of HIV diagnosis, comorbid health conditions, employment, and income, our model significantly predicted HIV symptom experience (overall model z = 5.77, P < 0.001). Employment status and social capital were consistent, negative, and significant predictors of HIV symptom experience. Self-compassion did not significantly predict HIV symptom experience. For those reporting symptoms, an increase in age was significantly associated with an increase in symptoms.
Conclusion Employment and social capital modestly predicted current HIV symptom experience. Social capital can be incorporated into symptom management interventions, possibly as a way to reframe a person's symptom appraisal. This may be increasingly important as PLWH age. The relationship between employment status and HIV symptom experience was significant and should be explored further.