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Benefits of Adherence to Psychotropic Medications on Depressive Symptoms and Antiretroviral Medication Adherence Among Men and Women Living with HIV/AIDS

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Psychotropic medications are commonly used for depressive symptoms among people living with HIV/AIDS.

Purpose

We examined the relationships between adherence to psychotropic medications, depressive symptoms, and antiretroviral adherence.

Methods

We assessed depressive symptoms among 324 people living with HIV/AIDS across a 3-month period (70% men; mean age 45 years; 90% African–American). Psychotropic and antiretroviral adherence was assessed using monthly, unannounced telephone pill counts. Multiple-regression and mediation analyses were utilized to examine associations under investigation.

Results

Greater depressive symptoms were associated with lower antiretroviral and psychotropic medication adherence. Greater adherence to psychotropic medications regardless of medication class was positively related to higher antiretroviral adherence. Greater adherence to psychotropic medications also significantly mediated the association between depressive symptoms and antiretroviral adherence.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the benefits of adherence to psychotropic medications on both depressive symptoms and antiretroviral adherence. Future work examining psychotropic medication adherence on disease outcomes in people living with HIV/AIDS is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), grant R01MH071164.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Dean G. Cruess Ph.D, Seth C. Kalichman Ph.D, Christine Amaral B.A, Connie Swetzes L.P.N, Chauncey Cherry M.P.H & Moira O. Kalichman M.S.W

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA

    Dean G. Cruess Ph.D

  3. 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT, 06269-1020, USA

    Dean G. Cruess Ph.D

Authors
  1. Dean G. Cruess Ph.D
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  2. Seth C. Kalichman Ph.D
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Correspondence to Dean G. Cruess Ph.D.

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Cruess, D.G., Kalichman, S.C., Amaral, C. et al. Benefits of Adherence to Psychotropic Medications on Depressive Symptoms and Antiretroviral Medication Adherence Among Men and Women Living with HIV/AIDS. ann. behav. med. 43, 189–197 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9322-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9322-9

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