Characterization of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence Phenotypes and Psychosocial Symptom Clusters Among Black/African American (AA) and Hispanic/Latine Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with HIV in the Adherence Connection for Counseling, Education, and Support (ACCESS-II) Trial

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence behavior is heterogeneous among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with HIV and influenced by individual and interpersonal psychosocial factors. The primary objective of this study is to characterize ART adherence phenotypes and psychosocial symptom clusters, as related to ART adherence and HIV viral load suppression. This analysis included 60 AYAs with HIV enrolled in an ART adherence support clinical trial. Self-reported ART adherence at baseline, 12-weeks, and 24-weeks was used to define four ART adherence phenotypes: consistently high adherence (YY), early-only adherence (YN), late-only adherence (NY), and consistently low adherence (NN). Symptom clusters were empirically derived from baseline psychosocial measures, including adherence self-efficacy, ART knowledge, HIV stigma, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, trauma), and social support. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine psychosocial symptom outcomes at three timepoints (baseline, 12-weeks, and 24-weeks) and across groups with different adherence or viral load phenotypes. Using hierarchical clustering, four distinct clusters were identified, underscoring heterogeneity of psychosocial symptoms and patterns of ART and viral suppression. Findings from this analysis are among the first known characterizations of ART adherence phenotypes and psychosocial symptom clusters among AYAs with HIV. Heterogeneity in clusters underscores the need to examine other factors, such as resilience, not captured in the present study. Overall, these study findings contribute to improved understanding of the multi-level psychosocial influences of ART adherence and viral load suppression.