title: Substance-related coping, HIV-related factors, and mental health among an HIV-positive sexual minority community sample.
abstract: HIV-positive status poses a unique set of social stressors, especially among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons. Among these difficulties are the internalization of HIV-related stigma and poor mental health. Unfortunately, substance use as a coping mechanism is also common, dependent on other demographic factors, among HIV-positive and LGB samples. The present study integrates these bodies of literature by examining main and interactive effects of HIV-related experiences (i.e., disclosure of HIV-positive status, fear of disclosure, HIV-related victimization, and internalized HIV-related stigma) and substance-related coping with discrimination as they impact mental health (i.e., stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and suicide and self-injury proneness). Participants were 216 HIV-positive LGB community members from an urban community medical clinic. Prominent results included: (1) robust negative effects of internalized HIV-related stigma on all mental health indicators when controlling for other HIV-related experiences and (2) a significant interaction in which substance-related coping significantly increases suicide proneness, only for those who have disclosed HIV-positive status to family or friends. Results are discussed with respect to theoretical perspectives of internalized stigma, implications for clinical work with LGB persons of HIV-positive status, and future research.
authors: a Department of Psychology , Sam Houston State University , Huntsville , TX , USA.
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Cramer
authors: a Department of Psychology , Sam Houston State University , Huntsville , TX , USA.
authors: Scholar L
authors: SL
authors: Colbourn
authors: a Department of Psychology , Sam Houston State University , Huntsville , TX , USA.
authors: Tess M
authors: TM
authors: Gemberling
authors: b Southwest CARE Center , Santa Fe , NM , USA.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Graham
authors: a Department of Psychology , Sam Houston State University , Huntsville , TX , USA.
authors: Caroline H
authors: CH
authors: Stroud
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008913:Minority Groups; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: HIV; coping; lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB); stigma; substance abuse; suicide