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. 2016 Feb;20(2):317-24.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-015-1232-6.

Exploring Coping and Social Support with Gender and Education Among People Living with HIV in China

Li Li  1 , Chunqing Lin  2 , Li-Jung Liang  2 , Guoping Ji  3
Affiliations

Exploring Coping and Social Support with Gender and Education Among People Living with HIV in China

Li Li et al. AIDS Behav. 2016 Feb.

Abstract

Social support promotes positive coping strategies among people living with HIV (PLH); however, little is known about the various aspects of social support and their distinct effects on coping. The present study investigates the specific links between coping and perceived social support with respect to gender and education among PLH. A total of 522 PLH in Anhui, China, participated in an assessment that collected data on demographics, perceived tangible and emotional support, and cognitive and behavioral coping. The assessment was conducted using the computer-assisted personal interviewing method. The data were analyzed using linear mixed models. Emotional support was significantly associated with both cognitive and behavioral coping. Tangible support was significantly associated with behavioral coping but not with emotional coping. Women reported significantly lower levels of emotional support, cognitive coping, and behavioral coping than men did. Significant associations between tangible support and coping were found only among illiterate males. Women living with HIV are in greater need of social support and coping strategies. Future interventions should be gender specific, with targeted support for women with lower education levels to enhance their coping strategies.

Keywords: China; Coping; Gender; HIV; Social support.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest All authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Associations and p values among selected variables. Note The associations were examined using village-level random-effects models with no covariates
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