Ways of coping and perceived HIV-related stigma among people living with HIV: moderation by sex and sexual orientation

Perceived HIV-related stigma continues to persist among people living with HIV and coping strategies are crucial to overall health. Coping may be associated with perceived HIV-related stigma. However, research examining differences by sex and sexual orientation is lacking. Therefore, the aims of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology, health & medicine health & medicine, 2020-08, Vol.25 (7), p.867-878
Main Authors: Brown, Monique J., Serovich, Julianne M., Laschober, Tanja C., Kimberly, Judy A., Lescano, Celia M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Avoidance behavior
Coping strategies
Disparities
Escape
Female
Heterosexuality
HIV
HIV Infections - psychology
Homosexuality, Male - psychology
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Male
men
Men who have sex with men
Moderation
MSM
Sexual and Gender Minorities - psychology
Sexual orientation
Social Stigma
Stigma
stress
women
Young Adult
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Summary:Perceived HIV-related stigma continues to persist among people living with HIV and coping strategies are crucial to overall health. Coping may be associated with perceived HIV-related stigma. However, research examining differences by sex and sexual orientation is lacking. Therefore, the aims of the study were to assess the association between ways of coping and perceived HIV-related stigma, and to examine the relationship by sex and sexual orientation. Data were obtained from 346 individuals (191 men and 155 women) living with HIV. Multiple linear regression models showed that overall, distancing, and attack/escape avoidance coping were positively associated with perceived HIV-related stigma among the overall population, among men who have sex with men (MSM), and among women overall and heterosexual women. Among men overall, distancing and attack/escape avoidance coping were positively associated with perceived HIV-related stigma. Among women who have sex with women (WSW), attack/escape avoidance coping was positively associated with perceived HIV-related stigma. Effect sizes indicated small effects for overall coping and medium to large effects for distancing and attack/escape avoidance coping. Interventions focused on reducing perceived HIV-related stigma among populations living with HIV should address distancing and attack/escape avoidance strategies especially among women, regardless of sexual orientation, and MSM.
ISSN:1354-8506
1465-3966
DOI:10.1080/13548506.2019.1680852