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Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with adverse mental and physical outcomes among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. Few studies focus on psychological IPV, such as verbal threats. This study examined the associations between different forms of IPV and depression and CD4+ cell count, with depression as a mediator for the association between IPV and CD4+ cell count. Data for these analyses were derived from a larger cross-sectional study on HIV-HCV co-infection among MSM in Shanghai, China (N = 1623). We estimated the average causal mediation effects (ACME) and average direct effects (ADE) through three steps. About 16% of participants experienced IPV, with forced sex (7%), verbal threats (5%), and thrown objects (4%) being most common. Verbal threats showed the strongest link with depression and low CD4+ cell count. Depression fully mediated the relationship between verbal abuse and low CD4+ cell count, suggesting it as a potential pathway between psychological IPV and poorer HIV-related health outcomes. More research on psychological IPV is warranted to examine its health impacts. Mental health could be a potential focus of intervention to enhance HIV-related health outcomes among MSM with IPV experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is experiencing an emerging HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). Minority stress theory posits that marginalized populations experience additional stress, which influences experiences of psychological distress and health outcomes. This study aimed to understand psychological distress of MSM relative to men who have sex with women (MSW) in an urban Chinese setting. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 162 HIV-positive Chinese men receiving HIV treatment at Beijing's Ditan Hospital. Multiple linear regression with imputation was used to identify correlates of psychological distress. Relative to MSW, MSM were younger, more educated, and less likely to be in a relationship or have children. While both groups reported clinically elevated levels of depression and anxiety, sexual behavior was not associated with either outcome. Higher endorsement of depression symptomology was associated with worse reported physical health (β = −1.37, p <.05) and greater endorsement of maladaptive coping (β = 2.39, p <.05), whereas higher endorsement of anxiety symptomology was associated with greater endorsement of adaptive coping (β = 0.78, p <.05), diminished physical health (β = −0.86, p <.05), and a high school or greater level of education (β = 4.13, p <.05). These findings suggest that interventions targeting coping strategies may address psychological distress among HIV-positive Chinese men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV self-stigma in HIV positive men who have sex with men (HIVMSM) has been identified as one of the largest challenges of HIV prevention, and associates with numerous negative outcomes, including depression, decreased social support, and less condom use intentions. In the present study, 321 HIVMSM in Chengdu, China were recruited to examine the prevalence of condom use in the past months and intentions to use condoms in next six months; we also identify pathways between HIV self-stigma and intentions to use condoms by the structural equation modeling approach. Results showed that Chinese HIVMSM had the suboptimal prevalence of consistent condom use and low intentions to use condoms consistently. Additionally, depression and decreased social support were significant mediators between HIV self-stigma and condom use intentions. The complex pathways between HIV self-stigma and intentions to use condoms should be taken into account in the HIV prevention and intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV-positive men who have sex with men (HIVMSM) face severe stigma and high levels of stressors, and have high prevalence of mental health problems (e.g., depression and anxiety). Very few studies explored the role of positive psychological factors on mental health problems among HIVMSM. The present study investigated the prevalence of two mental health problems (anxiety and depression), and their associated protective (gratitude) and risk (enacted HIV-related stigma, and perceived stress) factors among HIVMSM in China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 321 HIVMSM in Chengdu, China, by using a structured questionnaire. Over half (55.8%) of the participants showed probable mild to severe depression (as assessed by the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale); 53.3% showed probable anxiety (as assessed by the General Anxiety Disorder scale). Adjusted logistic regression models revealed that gratitude (adjusted odds ratio (ORa = 0.90, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) = 0.86–0.94) was found to be protective, whilst perceived stress (ORa = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.12–1.22) and enacted stigma (ORa = 7.72, 95% CI = 2.27–26.25) were risk factors of depression. Gratitude (ORa = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.91–0.99) was also found to be protective whilst perceived stress (ORa = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.14–1.24) was a risk factor of anxiety. Gratitude did not moderate the associations found between related factors and poor mental health. It is warranted to promote mental health among HIVMSM, as depression/anxiety was highly prevalent. Such interventions should consider enhancement of gratitude, reduction of stress, and removal of enacted stigma as potential strategies, as such factors were significantly associated with depression/anxiety among HIVMSM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]