title: HIV-related stigma and self-disclosure: the mediating and moderating role of anticipated discrimination among people living with HIV/AIDS in Akure Nigeria.
abstract: Although links between HIV-related stigma and self-disclosure of HIV status among people living with HIV have been well established, it is unclear whether levels of perceived discrimination are differentially associated with self-disclosure. The present study using a multi-factorial survey design investigated the role of stigma and other self-related factors (e.g., anticipated discrimination, self-esteem, HIV-related factors [e.g., drug use combination; knowledge of duration of HIV diagnosis] and socio-demographic factors [e.g., multiple spouse; age, gender, educational level] and psychological distress [depression]) in self-disclosure among People living with HIV/AIDs has been added (PLWHA) on follow-up management in State Specialist Hospital Akure, Nigeria. One hundred and thirty nine HIV/AIDS patients (49 males and 90 females) participated in the study. Mean age and mean time in months since diagnosis were 39.56 ± 10.26 and 37.78 ± 48.34, respectively. Four variables: multiple spouse, anticipated discrimination, HIV-related stigma and self-esteem were related to self-disclosure at (p < .05). Product-term regression analyses demonstrated that perceived discrimination mediated the relationship between self-esteem (Sobel test: z = 2.09, Aroian = 2.06, p < .001), perceived stigma (Sobel test: z = 2.78, Aroaian = 2.75 p < .01) and self-disclosure. Interaction term analysis between HIV-related stigma t (5, 137) = 1.69, p > .05, self-esteem t (5, 137) = .59, p > .05 and anticipated discrimination were non-significant, suggesting a non-moderation effect of discrimination and disclosure. The results indicate that anticipated discrimination may impact HIV-related stigma to reduce self-disclosure among the PLWHAs in Akure, Nigeria. Interventions should incorporate anticipated discrimination in educational programs of HIV stigma in encouraging self-disclosure among PLWHAs.
authors.affiliation: a Psychology , University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Nigeria.
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Olley
authors.affiliation: a Psychology , University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Nigeria.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ogunde
authors.affiliation: b Heamatology , State Specialist Hospital Akure , Akure , Nigeria.
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Oso
authors.affiliation: a Psychology , University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Nigeria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ishola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009549:Nigeria; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure
keywords: HIV-related stigma; Nigeria; PLWHAs; anticipated discrimination; self disclosure