Social Support Systems Are Key for Older Adults Living With HIV

Having a strong social support system is vital to the health and well-being of older adults with HIV, according to a recent Rutgers Health study published in AIDS Care.

Older people with HIV often face stigma related to both their HIV status and their age, and this stigma can have a negative impact on their mental health and lead to social isolation. Previous studies have shown that a strong social support system not only protects against stigma but also reduces stress, anxiety, and depression in this vulnerable population.

In this study, researchers analyzed 40 participants aged 51 to 69 years from the Newark metropolitan area. The participants underwent semistructured interviews covering topics such as participants’ personal experiences with HIV, social networks, and mental health.

The results of the study pointed to 4 main themes related to participants’ experiences living with HIV as older individuals—friends and relationships, support groups, stigma and discrimination, and family—all of which highlighted the recurring role of social support, the researchers noted.

“This study helps us understand how support networks affect older adults living with HIV and how stigma and fragmented relationships can ultimately make way for negative health outcomes,” said Kristen Krause, an instructor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and lead investigator, via a press release.

“Social support is a key component of resilience and overcoming challenging obstacles that older adults living with HIV may face,” said Krause. “Social support can come in many forms, such as friendships, family relationships, and support groups. They all serve unique and collective purposes to ensure good health outcomes in older people living with HIV.”