HIV MADE ME STRONGER: CONCEPTIONS OF SUCCESSFUL AGING AMONG OLDER WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV

Abstract Little is known about successful aging (SA) among older (50+) women living with HIV (OWLH). Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine subjective understandings of SA among OWLH. Participants were OWLH enrolled in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) and those not enrolled in WIHS: 8 in Atlanta, GA (3 WIHS and 5 non-WIHS) and 9 in Brooklyn, NY (6 WIHS and 3 non-WIHS). Semi-structured interviews ranged from 30 to 120 minutes. Several themes emerged in participants’ definitions of SA, e.g. self-care, taking HIV medications, and being resilient (“HIV made me stronger”). Both WIHS and non-WIHS participants emphasized life course perspective in their definitions of SA -- women viewed their aging successful as a more stable phase of life in contrast to hardships they experienced while being younger (e.g., drug use, incarceration). Data collection efforts are ongoing and will allow further characterization of SA among this population.

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Barriers to Successful Aging Among Older Women Living With HIV: A Qualitative Study

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1611 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 498-499

Author(s):

Anna Rubtsova ◽

Tonya Taylor ◽

Gina Wingood ◽

Igho Ofotokun ◽

Deborah Gustafson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Support Groups ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽

Health Providers ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Age Related ◽

Related Stigma ◽

Living With Hiv

Abstract Successful aging (SA) is the capacity of older people to thrive despite age-related changes and/or declines. Although our previous research found that older (age ≥50) women living with HIV (OWLH) can achieve SA, considerable barriers remain. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify specific barriers to SA among OWLH. Our sample consisted of 29 OWLH recruited between October 2018 and March 2019 at two sites of Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS): Atlanta, GA and Brooklyn, NY. These participants were assigned to either semi-structured interviews (N=17: 8 interviews in Brooklyn and 9 in Atlanta) or focus group discussions (FGD: 1 FGD in Atlanta with 5 participants, and 1 FGD in Brooklyn with 7 participants). Our FGD and Interview Guides included questions focused on barriers to SA. Participants were, on average, 58 years old (range 50-73), 86% Black, 83% single, and 62% with annual income ≤ $12,000. All interviews and FGD were transcribed and coded using MAXQDA software. We used thematic coding within constructivist approach. Several themes emerged identifying the following SA barriers: multiple chronic conditions and pain (e.g., arthritis, neuropathy); polypharmacy and side effects of HIV medications (“it’s wearing on me”); HIV-related stigma and loneliness (“I think my children would judge me if I would tell them I have it HIV”); substance use, giving up on yourself (“just sitting around, not doing anything”); and lack of access to resources and services (e.g., mental health providers, support groups). Our findings will help designing public health interventions promoting SA among OWLH.

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Prevalence and Correlates of Self-Rated Successful Aging Among Older Women Living With HIV

JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes ◽

10.1097/qai.0000000000002175 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 82 ◽

pp. S162-S169 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anna A. Rubtsova ◽

Gina M. Wingood ◽

Ighovwerha Ofotokun ◽

Deborah Gustafson ◽

David E. Vance ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Women ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv

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Psychosocial Mechanisms of Successful Aging Among Older Women Living With HIV: A Structural Equation Model

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1613 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 499-499

Author(s):

Anna Rubtsova ◽

Gina Wingood ◽

Igho Ofotokun ◽

Deborah Gustafson ◽

David Vance ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Affect ◽

Older Women ◽

Psychosocial Factors ◽

Latent Variables ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Equation Model ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv

Abstract Although older women living with HIV (OWLH) face challenges related to the intersection of HIV and aging, our published research found significant prevalence of self-rated successful aging (SRSA) in a sample of OWLH enrolled in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). Studies in other populations link SRSA to positive psychosocial factors but little is known about SRSA mechanisms among OWLH. The purpose of this study is to test a conceptual psychosocial model of SRSA. Our sample (N=356) included OWLH enrolled in WIHS who participated in the “From Surviving to Thriving” (FROST) substudy and completed psychosocial and cognitive assessments: average age 56.5 years, 73% Black, 55% with annual income ≤ $12,000, 74% having 3 or more comorbidities, median CD4=673 cells/ml (Q1=486; Q3=880). SRSA was assessed using a research-based 10-point scale (higher scores=better outcomes). We conducted adjusted structural equation modeling. The global model included two latent variables -- protective attributes (composite of positive psychosocial factors: resilience, personal mastery, optimism, spirituality) and negative affect (composite of negative psychosocial factors: anxiety, depression, loneliness, internalized HIV-related stigma). The model showed good fit (χ2(65)=72.3, p=0.25; RMSE=0.02; CFI=0.99) and explained 21% of variance in SRSA. Increased protective attributes were associated with improved SRSA both directly (p<0.01) and indirectly, via improved coping with stress (p<0.001). While negative affect did not have a direct effect on SRSA, it was indirectly associated with worsened SRSA via diminished protective attributes (p<0.001). Findings suggest the need for interventions enhancing positive and mitigating negative psychosocial factors to promote SRSA among OWLH.

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