Exploring social and environmental mechanisms as predictors of mental health among young adults with perinatal HIV infection and exposure

Young adults living with perinatally acquired HIV (YAPHIV) and those perinatally exposed but uninfected (YAPHEU) can face mental health challenges during the transition to adulthood, including depression, anxiety and life stressors. Social support from family and friends may help attenuate the impact of stress on mental health. This longitudinal study examined whether family relationships and friend support predicted psychiatric disorders and moderated the association between stress and mental health outcomes among 197 young adults affected by HIV in the United States (62% YAPHIV; 39% YAPHEU). Data were drawn from two adult assessment points: Time 1 (mean age = 22.9 years) and Time 2 (mean age = 24.1 years). Logistic regression analyses indicated that greater family support and family organization at Time 1 were consistently associated with lower odds of any psychiatric disorder and, specifically, anxiety and mood disorders at Time 2. Among YAPHEU participants only, higher family organization was associated with lower odds of anxiety disorders. Stress was not significantly associated with mental health outcomes, nor did family or friend support moderate the association between stress and mental health. The findings highlight the protective role of family support and organization in reducing mental health challenges and suggest that specific family dimensions may be important targets for intervention.