Effectiveness of a Telephone Intervention Program in Improving Depression, Coping, and Family Functioning in HIV-Infected Individuals and Caregivers

Individuals who are newly diagnosed with HIV often experience a variety of social and psychological problems, which can leave them depressed and unable to cope with their disease. The complex financial, legal, and psychiatric issues that many HIV-infected individuals must face can be stressful and can negatively affect their health; they may miss doctors' appointments or fail to adhere to a strict HIV medication regimen. The combination of stress and inconsistent medical care can affect the immune system and potentially worsen HIV symptoms.

Because of the multitude of stressors associated with HIV, HIV-infected individuals often rely on a network of family and friends for support; these caregivers, however, are often overwhelmed by their caregiver roles. They may experience helplessness, fear, and depression as a result of their added responsibilities. Family Intervention: Telephone Tracking (FITT) is a telephone-based intervention program that assists in identifying problems and resolving them through referrals to medical and community organizations that provide HIV-related support and services. It is also an educational resource that provides information on the many medical and psychological aspects of HIV infection. The main goal of FITT is to alleviate stress in both the HIV-infected individual and their support network by providing information and resources to help cope with HIV. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of FITT in improving family functioning, enhancing coping skills, and reducing depression in HIV-infected individuals and their caregivers.

This 12-month study will enroll recently diagnosed HIV-infected individuals and one family member or friend who is identified as their primary caregiver. Each pair will be randomly assigned to either the FITT intervention group or to an assessment-only group that will not receive FITT. Individuals who are assigned to receive FITT will utilize the service for Months 1 through 6. HIV-infected participants in both groups will also receive regular medical care throughout the study. Outcome measurements will include self-assessments of depression, coping, and family functioning. In addition, participants receiving FITT will be asked to evaluate the effectiveness of the telephone intervention. All measurements will be assessed at baseline, and Months 3, 6, and 12.