Alsayed, Nahed
(2015)
TESTING A MODEL OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The diagnosis of HIV infection in women may adversely affect their health and their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). At present, research about women living with HIV infection and the multiple factors that contribute to their HRQoL is limited. The purpose of this study was to test the revised model of HRQoL by Wilson and Cleary (Ferrans et al., 2005) using a secondary analysis of baseline data from 178 women who participated in two independent randomized controlled studies. This linear model includes inter-related components (biological function, symptoms, functional status, and general health perceptions) which lead ultimately to HRQoL. The primary aim was to examine the relationships among the five components of the model. The secondary aim was to examine the relationships among the individual (i.e. age, children, race, marital status, education) and environmental (i.e. HIV-related stigma, social support) characteristics that may impact biological function, symptoms, functional status, general health perceptions, and overall HRQoL among women living with HIV infection. Observed variables included: biological function (CD4 count and viral load), symptoms (depressive symptoms and energy/fatigue), functional status (physical and social functioning), general health perceptions (overall general health and mental health), environmental factors (social support and HIV-related stigma), and HRQoL (satisfaction with life and overall quality of life). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis were performed on multiple path models to examine the hypothesized multivariate relationships proposed in the revised Wilson and Cleary model of HRQoL (Ferrans et al., 2005). Originally, a latent path model was planned. Due to problems with the measurement model, the latent path model was simplified and observed and hybrid path models were created. While the two main models for the primary and secondary aims did not fit well, post hoc modified models adding a path from symptoms to general health perceptions provided an adequate model fit. Women with lower viral loads, lower depressive symptoms, lower HIV-related stigma, higher social support, higher physical functioning, and higher general health perceptions had higher overall HRQoL. The results of this study have the potential to assist healthcare professionals in improving health-related quality of life for women living with HIV infection.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
| Title | Member | Email Address | Pitt Username | ORCID |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Erlen, Judith A. | jae001@pitt.edu | JAE001 | | | Committee Member | Sereika, Susan M | | | | | Committee Member | Albrecht, Susan | | | | | Committee Member | Terry, Martha | | | |
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| Date: |
17 December 2015 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
2 December 2015 |
| Approval Date: |
17 December 2015 |
| Submission Date: |
16 December 2015 |
| Access Restriction: |
1 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 1 year. |
| Number of Pages: |
134 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Nursing > Nursing |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
HIV, quality of life, depressive symptoms, stigma, social support, women, Wilson and Cleary model |
| Date Deposited: |
17 Dec 2015 15:43 |
| Last Modified: |
17 Dec 2016 06:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/26687 |
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