2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

324412
Social Support and Disclosure: A Social Network Analysis of Disclosure Difference in Social Networks of Women living with HIV


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 1:30 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

Jaih B. Craddock, PhDc, MSW, MA, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Eric Rice, PhD, School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Julie A. Cederbaum, PhD, MSW, MPH, School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Anthony Fulginiti, MSW, School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Background: Previous work found that disclosure is higher for women living with HIV (WLH) when more social support in social networks is reported. Yet, few studies have examined women’s disclosure to network members and only one study examined disclosure differences across social network ties. This study builds on previous research by examining WLH disclosure differences across networks and by evaluating relationships between network member characteristics, types of support and disclosure. 

Method: Pilot data were collected from 47 WLH. To gather social network data, the interviewer used the Social Network Interview iPad application. Measures included disclosure of HIV-status and perceived social support. Basic demographics were collected via a complimentary survey. Statistical analysis proceeded in two stages, descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear modeling.

Results: There were a total of 853 dyadic relationships, with an average of 17.4 network members. Women disclosed at an average of 64.95%. A majority, 53.22%, of network members provided emotional support, with emotional support having the highest significant positive correlation to disclosure when compared to other types of support. Spouses, social workers, and siblings were disclosed to more frequently. None of the women disclosed to their pastors and only 6.25% of church friends. Network members’ gender did not influence disclosure rates.

Conclusions: Few studies have systematically collected social network data, limiting our understanding of network characteristics and ways in which networks impacts disclosure. This study increases our understanding of the relationship between social support and disclosure and creates opportunities to pinpoint social network interventions for WLH.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describes how network member characteristics and types of support provided in a network may impact disclosure differences across networks of HIV positive women.

Keyword(s): Women and HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My research interest is concentrated around HIV in Black communities, examining social and behavioral determinants of sexual health. I have conducted several studies focused on Black women living with HIV. I contributed as a research assistant to two large-scale NIMH-funded studies of gay couples focused on relationship dynamics and HIV risk. I contributed and assisted in conducting a NIH funded randomized controlled trial to test efficacy of adapted EBI for HIV prevention among homeless women.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4236.0: Women and HIV/AIDS