Medication adherence in HIV-positive African Americans: The roles of age, health beliefs, and sensation seeking.

Sayegh, Philip; Thaler, Nicholas S.; Arentoft, Alyssa; Kuhn, Taylor P.; Schonfeld, Daniel; Castellon, Steven A.; Durvasula, Ramani S.; Myers, Hector F.; Hinkin, Charles H.; Duregger, Cornelia

We examined how two critical constructs, health beliefs and sensation seeking, influence combination antiretroviral therapy adherence in HIV   African Americans, and whether these factors mediate the association between age and adherence. Two hundred and eighty-six HIV   African Americans participated in this observational study. Path analyses revealed that higher levels of a specific health belief, perceived utility of treatment, and lower levels of a sensation seeking component, Thrill and Adventure Seeking, directly predicted optimal adherence. The influence of age on adherence was partially mediated by lower Thrill and Adventure Seeking levels. Depression predicted adherence via perceived utility of treatment and Thrill and Adventure Seeking, whereas current substance abuse and dependence did via Thrill and Adventure Seeking. Poorer neurocognitive function had a direct, adverse effect on adherence. Our findings suggest that supporting the development of more positive perceptions about HIV treatment utility may help increase medication adherence among African Americans. This may be particularly relevant for those with higher levels of depression symptoms, which were directly associated with negative perceptions about treatment. Additionally, clinicians can assess sensation seeking tendencies to help identify HIV   African Americans at risk for suboptimal adherence. Compensatory strategies for medication management may help improve adherence among HIV   individuals with poorer neurocognitive function.

CLINICAL health psychology; HIV; AFRICAN American HIV-positive persons; PATIENT compliance; HEALTH attitudes; NEURODEGENERATION Methods & Protocols (Book)

Cogent Psychology, 2016, Vol 3, Issue 1, pN.PAG

2331-1908

Academic Journal

10.1080/23311908.2015.1137207