The Relation between Substance Use and Medication Adherence among HIV Positive Substance Users in Residential Treatment

Poor medication adherence is problematic among HIV positive, low-income African-American substance users. Substance use has been shown to be associated with poor medication adherence, though we do not know the mechanism that underlies this relationship. Lack of positive environmental rewards and the propensity to discount delayed rewards may be possible mechanisms to explain this relationship. Using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, we examined the relationships between substance use and medication adherence, testing both environmental rewards and delay discounting as independent mediators. There was a main effect of substance use on adherence, such that high frequency of substance use predicted poor adherence. There was also a main effect of environmental rewards on adherence, such that a lack of environmental reinforcement predicted poor adherence. This study shed light on the processes that contribute to low adherence, namely substance use and lack of environmental contingencies, and suggests important targets for intervention.

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Hoffman, Elana Michelle

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• MacPherson, Laura

Language dc:language.iso

en

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.13016/M2FF52

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:drum.lib.umd.edu:1903/18412