title: A model of associative stigma on depression and anxiety among children of HIV-infected parents in China.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carries a high level of stigma to the HIV-infected individuals and their family members. Children of HIV-infected parents in China are particularly affected. The present study examined the relationship between associative stigma, self-esteem, optimism, anxiety and depression among 195 children of HIV-infected parents in rural China. Findings showed that more than one-third (35.4 %) of the participants scored higher than cut-off for depression; and 23.6-67.7 % of them scored higher than cut-off for different types of anxiety disorders. Structural equation modelling revealed that associative stigma had a significant negative relationship on self-esteem and optimism, which were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety. The indirect effects of associative stigma on depression and anxiety were significant. The overall model showed a satisfactory fit. Findings suggest that associative stigma has a significant negative impact on mental health of children affected by HIV. Interventions to reduce their associative stigma are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Behaviours Research, School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 5/F., School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Phoenix K H
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Mo
authors.forename: Joseph T F
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Xiaonan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000523:psychology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires