Role of Self-Stigma in Pathways from HIV-Related Stigma to Quality of Life Among People Living with HIV

Overview

Journal AIDS Patient Care STDS

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2021 Jun 7

PMID 34097466

Citations 20

Authors

Yvonne L van der Kooij

Alzbeta Kupkova

Chantal den Daas

Guido E L van den Berk

Marie Jose T Kleene

Hannah S E Jansen

Loek J M Elsenburg

Leo G Schenk

Peter Verboon

Kees Brinkman

Arjan E R Bos

Sarah E Stutterheim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between perceived public stigma, experienced stigma, and quality of life in people living with HIV (PLHIV), and whether self-stigma mediates these relationships. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 1704 PLHIV in care at OLVG hospital in the Netherlands. We measured different types of stigma (perceived public stigma, experienced stigma, and self-stigma), and various quality-of-life outcomes (disclosure concerns, depression, anxiety, sexual problems, sleeping difficulties, self-esteem, general health, and social support). Structural equation modeling was used to test the paths from different types of stigma to quality-of-life outcomes. All direct effects of self-stigma on quality-of-life outcomes were significant. The final mediation model showed that the effects of both perceived public and experienced stigma on quality-of-life outcomes were mediated by self-stigma. These findings highlight the importance of addressing self-stigma in PLHIV, and call for (psychosocial) interventions that reduce the harmful effects of HIV-related stigma.

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