The Relationship between Strain, HIV/AIDS Risk- Behavior and Adherence

ISBN-13: 9783639129113 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 168 str.

Marguerite Keesee

Opis

The purpose of this study is to determine the social and social psychological factors that are related to adherence to HIV medical regimens and involvement in high-risk behaviors. The ability of Agnews general strain theory (GST) to explain non-adherence and risky behaviors was specifically tested. Adherence is crucial to maintain low viral loads and prevent the development of a drug resistant virus. Involvement in high-risk behavior further complicates successful adherence to medical regimes and the overall treatment of HIV/AIDS. Specifically tested in this study was the applicability of Agnews (1992) GST in explaining both medical and behavioral non-adherence to treatment regimens in a Hispanic population residing along the U.S.-Mexico International Border. While not providing support for GST overall, findings do suggest that key components of general strain theory as well as other criminological theories including social and self-control and differential association may prove useful in furthering our understanding of medical adherence and involvement in high-risk behaviors.

O autorze

Marguerite Keesee received her Ph.D. in 2005 from the University
of Oklahoma in Sociology. Currently Dr. Keesee serves as
Director of REESE Research for the K20 Center for Educational
and Community Renewal and as Adjunct Faculty for the OU College
of Liberal Studies.