Abstract
The effects of a 10-week group-based
itive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention on
psychological distress and plasma free testosterone in symptomatic,
HIV-seropositive men were examined. Participants were randomized to
either CBSM (
n
= 42) or a wait-list control group (
n
= 23). Men
in the CBSM intervention showed significant increases in
testosterone, whereas control participants showed significant
decreases. Those participating in CBSM had significant distress
reductions, whereas controls showed no such change. Alterations in
free testosterone were inversely related to changes in distress
states over time, independent of any changes in cortisol. These
findings demonstrate that a short-term CBSM intervention increases
free testosterone levels among symptomatic, HIV-seropositive men,
and alterations in free testosterone are associated with changes in
psychological distress observed during CBSM.
