Correlation Between Family Support and Depression Among Pre-Elderly Individuals with HIV in Jakarta

Abstract

Depression among pre-elderly with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can significantly impact their quality of life. Family is often the primary source of support for this demographic and is recognized as a protective factor against depression. Therefore, identifying protective factors against depression is essential for promoting healthy aging among pre-elderly with HIV. This study aimed to determine the correlation between family support and depression among pre-elderly with HIV in Jakarta. A total of 120 pre-elderly with HIV from the Indonesia AIDS Coalition who were receiving HIV care at health centers across Jakarta participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data collection involved demographic questions, a family support questionnaire, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21). The analysis comprised univariate and bivariate analyses. The univariate analysis described the characteristics, family support, and depression levels, while the bivariate analysis assessed the correlation between the variables using the Spearman test. The results indicated that pre-elderly with HIV primarily received support from siblings and spouses. The participants reported low family support (median 25.00) and mild depressive symptoms (median 8.00). A significant moderate negative correlation was found between family support and depression in this population (r =-0.344). This study suggests that enhancing family support for pre-elderly with HIV can help reduce depression. Consequently, there is a critical need for healthcare providers to engage families in the treatment of pre-elderly with HIV to mitigate depression and promote healthier aging.