Search

The existing literature suggests a negative impact of intersectional stigma on multiple aspects of psychosocial well-being among individuals with multiple stigmatized identities. However, such impact remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the association between intersectional stigma and psychosocial well-being among 193 men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. Based on their responses to measures of HIV-related stigma and sexual and gender minority (SGM) stigma, the participants were grouped into "high" vs "low" on each type of stigma. The General Linear Model (GLM) was used to analyze the main and interaction effect of two types of stigma on multiple psychosocial measures. Our results indicated a significant interaction effect of two types of stigma on depression, anxiety, quality of life, and psychological resilience after controlling for key socio-demographic covariates. The findings suggest that experiencing both HIV-related stigma and SGM stigma may synergistically lead to poor psychosocial well-being among MSM in a more profound manner than experiencing only one type of stigma. It is critical for researchers and clinicians to consider the patients' multiple stigmatized identities, develop effective intervention strategies, and improve the psychosocial well-being of MSM living with HIV in China and other cultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among Chinese HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), high levels of depression are common. The association between HIV and depression is attributed to several factors, particularly HIV-related stigma. However, to date, how HIV-related stigma leads to depression among Chinese HIV-positive MSM is still unclear. As such, this study aims to examine the relationships between perceived HIV stigma, social support, resilience, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms among HIV-positive MSM in China. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among 347 HIV-positive MSM from July to August 2016 in Nanjing, China. Measurements were sociodemographic and psychological constructs including perceived HIV stigma, social support, resilience, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships among these constructs. Overall,134 (38.6%) participants had depressive symptoms. Perceived stigma was directly associated with depressive symptoms (β =.196, p <.001). Perceived stigma also indirectly affected depressive symptoms (β =.200, p <.001)through social support and self-esteem. Social support (β = −.124, p =.004) and self-esteem (β = −.536, p =.001), but not resilience, were direct predictors of depressive symptoms. Resilience was directly associated with self-esteem (β =.512, p <.001). Perceived HIV stigma could directly and indirectly impact depressive symptoms in HIV-positive MSM. Improving personal self-esteem, resilience and social support might reduce impact of perceived stigma on depressive symptoms among HIV-positive MSM in China. [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]