Social support network factors associated with verbal fluency among vulnerable persons living with HIV

Vulnerable persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at high risk of cognitive impairment and challenges accessing quality social support in later life. Impaired verbal fluency (VF), a cognitive domain linked to HIV, could impede social support associated with health and well-being for already vulnerable PLWH. We examined the structure of social support, using latent class analysis, and the associations among quantity, specific forms and quality of social support and VF among PLWH. Participants enrolled in the BEACON study (n = 383) completed the Controlled Oral Word Association test (COWAT) and a social support network inventory. Latent class analysis with count variables was used to determine the number of classes of PLWH based on their social network characteristics. The majority of PLWH were male (61.4%) and African American (85.9%). Two distinct latent classes, with a major distinction in the number of network members who were female, knew participants’ HIV status and HIV medication usage. Fewer support network members (β = -.13, p < 0.01), greater negative interactions (β = -.16, p < 0.01), and less positive interactions with network members (β =.15, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with lower COWAT scores. Comprehensive screening of high-risk PLWH and early intervention with those with cognitive impairment are important for addressing social support needs.