title: Ethnic differences in the links between benefit finding and psychological adjustment in people living with HIV.
abstract: Experiencing growth after the diagnosis of a life threatening illness is commonly reported among people living with HIV (PLWH). The links between benefit finding and better adjustment in PLWH have been identified, but it is less clear whether these links vary by ethnicity. Minority stress theory suggests that individuals from minority populations may have unique stress experiences, which can have negative health implications but may also provide opportunity for growth. We hypothesized that the association between benefit finding and psychological adjustment would be stronger for Black (n = 80) than White (n = 87) PLWH. Contrary to predictions, the relationship between benefit finding and better adjustment was significant for White but not Black PLWH. Post-hoc analyses suggested that sexual orientation played role in this relationship. The relationship between benefit finding and psychological adjustment may be complex for Black PLWH, or they may achieve adjustment using other resources.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Indianapolis, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, 46227, USA. feketee@uindy.edu.
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3276-4753
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Fekete
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Indianapolis, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, 46227, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chatterton
authors.affiliation: Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Skinta
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70649, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA.
authors.forename: Stacey L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D000066498:Emotional Adjustment; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Benefit finding; Ethnicity; HIV/AIDS; Psychological adjustment; Sexual orientation