STRESS, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL DYNAMICS IN HIV-AIDS

Research trends in psychosocial aspects of HIV-AIDS are reviewed, exploring the role of psychosocial cofactors in disease progression. This is undertaken within a biopsychosocial model and gives cognisance to the role of psychosocial stress, social support, and emotional adjustment. Research data from a study of biopsychosocial interrelationships in a sample of HIV-positive patients show a significant correlation between social support and emotional adjustment and that social support exerts a mediatory, stress-buffering effect in these patients. Some observations are made on aspects of the social conditions of South Af ricans with HIV-AIDS.