Impact of HIV-related stigma on health behaviors and psychological adjustment among HIV-positive men and women.
HIV-related stigmatization remains a potent stressor for HIV-positive people. This study examined the relationships among stigma-related experiences and depression, medication adherence, serostatus disclosure, and sexual risk among 221 HIV-positive men and women. In bivariate analyses that controlled for background characteristics, stigma was associated with depressive symptoms, receiving recent psychiatric care, and greater HIV-related symptoms. Stigma was also associated with poorer adherence and more frequent serostatus disclosure to people other than sexual partners, but showed no association to sexual risk behavior. In a multivariate analysis that controlled for all correlates, depression, poor adherence, and serostatus disclosure remained as independent correlates of stigma-related experiences. Findings confirm that stigma is associated with psychological adjustment and adherence difficulties and is experienced more commonly among people who disclose their HIV status to a broad range of social contacts. Stigma should be addressed in stress management, health promotion, and medication adherence interventions for HIV-positive people.
Vanable
Peter A
PA
Department of Psychology and Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-2340, USA. pvanable@syr.edu
Carey
Michael P
MP
Blair
Donald C
DC
Littlewood
Rae A
RA
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013240:Stereotyping
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents