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OBJECTIVES: The Wilson and Cleary (1995) model of quality of life was tested in a sample of ethnic minority persons living with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: This analysis used data from an international study on self-care symptom management for HIV/AIDS. The total sample included 1,217 adults from the United States, the Common wealth of Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Norway, and Columbia; a subsample (n = 920) of ethnic minority participants was extracted. A six-step hierarchical multiple regression was conducted with quality of life as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 461 (50.1%) African Americans, 316 (34.3%) Hispanics, 126 (13.7%) Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 17 (1.8%) Native American Indians. Fifteen predictors explained 22.9% of the variance in life satisfaction. Individual characteristics, environment, physiological factors, symptom status, functional status, and general health perceptions made statistically significant contributions to life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The Wilson and Cleary model of quality of life served as a useful organizing framework for developing an understanding of the correlates of quality of life for a subsample of ethnic minority persons living with HIV/AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to describe the frequency and correlates of self-reported anxiety and fear and the self-care behaviors used to manage these symptoms. Data were collected in a convenience sample (N = 422) of HIV-positive subjects. Demographic and disease-related variables were compared for those who did and did not report anxiety and fear. Anxiety and fear were the most frequently reported symptoms (17.3%, n = 73). There were significant differences on gender, level of education, and the use of antiretroviral medications. Self-care behaviors (n = 212) for anxiety and fear were grouped into seven categories: using activities for distraction = 25%, talking to others = 21%, using alternative/complementary therapies = 18%, taking prescribed medications = 10%, using self-talk = 9%, using substances = 9%, and using avoidance behaviors = 7%. Anxiety and fear are commonly experienced by people with HIV/AIDS. Self-care strategies are imperative in the management of these clinical manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]