Multiple dimensions of HIV stigma and psychological distress among Asians and Pacific Islanders living with HIV illness.
Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) living with HIV/AIDS in the US are particularly vulnerable to HIV-related stigma largely due to ingrained socio-cultural norms that strongly associate HIV transmission with activities perceived to be immoral. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between five HIV-stigma factors and psychological distress among 54 HIV-seropositive APIs. Social Rejection, Negative Self-Worth, Perceived Interpersonal Insecurity, and Financial Security were all significantly associated with psychological distress. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that Social Rejection, Negative Self-Worth, and Perceived Interpersonal Insecurity significantly predicted psychological distress after control for physical symptoms and country of birth. Undocumented Asians endorsed higher levels of Social Rejection, Negative Self-Worth and Perceived Interpersonal Insecurity than documented APIs. Future studies examining mechanisms of psychological distress among HIV-seropositive APIs are needed.
Kang
Ezer
E
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, 10032, USA. eek34@columbia.edu
Rapkin
Bruce D
BD
Remien
Robert H
RH
Mellins
Claude Ann
CA
Oh
Alina
A
D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000523:psychology*; D009519:New York City; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000208:ethnology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011287:Prejudice; D011594:Psychometrics; D011639:Public Opinion; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors