Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The impact of mental health services on individuals who are HIV-infected was investigated. Mental health services were hypothesized to have an ameliorative effect on the quality of life across time. The Health Status Questionnaire, a modified version of the MOS-30, was used. The dependent variable was Quality of Life as measured on the Health Status Questionnaire, and the independent variables were (a) utilization or non-utilization of mental health services in the immediately preceding six months, and (b) utilization (later dichotomized into consistent or occasional utilization) or non-utilization of mental health services over the course of one year. Validation of the instrument yielded three functional areas of Quality of Life being assessed: Emotional Functioning, Physical Functioning, and Cognitive Functioning. Individuals who utilized mental health services within the preceding six months reported significantly lower Quality of Life than those who did not use services. Over the course of a year, those individuals who did not use mental health services had significant declines in Quality of Life, those who used services occasionally reported significant increases in Quality of Life, and those individuals who used services consistently remained stable. Participants who never used services and who used services over the course of the year reported scores which converged in all areas (Quality of Life, Emotional Functioning, and Physical Functioning), except Cognitive Functioning. Implications and recommendations for future research are provided.

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