Research examining the mediating role of depressive symptoms in the association between resilience and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to examine the mediating role of depression between resilience and ART adherence, as well as to explore whether this relationship varies across racial background. A total of 327 people living with HIV and on ART in South Carolina were surveyed about their ART adherence and mental health, including resilience and depressive symptoms. Path analyses were conducted to determine the direct and indirect effects between resilience, depressive symptoms, and ART adherence. After adjusting for age, gender, income, education, employment and time since diagnosis, among Black individuals, resilience was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (β = --0.248, p < 0.001); depressive symptoms were negatively associated with ART adherence (β = -0.166, p = 0.020); however, resilience was not significantly associated with ART adherence. Among White individuals, there was no statistically significant association. The indirect effect between resilience and ART adherence through depressive symptoms was statistically significant (β = 0.041, p = 0.040) for Black individuals, while not statistically significant for White individuals (β = 0.024, p = 0.578). Interventions aimed at improving ART adherence, which attenuate depressive symptoms through accentuating resilience may be especially beneficial for Black populations living with HIV.
Keywords: Disparities; HIV; depressive symptoms; race; resilience.