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Xu H, Wang T, He W, Shiu C, Aung TNN, Moolphate S, Aung M, Tun M, Lin SH, Myint KM, Oo KM, Arbing R, Chen W. Negotiating and Struggling for a New Life: Stigma, Spirituality, and Coping Strategies of People Living with HIV in Myanmar. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2024. [PMID: 38985567 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2024.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Although enacted and internalized stigma is a continuing problem for people living with HIV (PLWH) in Southeast Asia, there is little understanding of how PLWH cope with discrimination, exclusion, and other negative outcomes caused by HIV-related stigmatization. This article aims to bridge this gap by analyzing the lived experiences of HIV-related stigmatization and coping strategies among 30 people with HIV in Myanmar, a country heavily influenced by religion, especially Buddhism. Among the 30 study participants, 20 were female and 10 were male, with ages ranging from 18 to 50 years. Through the lens of Bourdieu's concepts of habitus, field, and capital, this article first elucidates the various forms of stigmatization in family, work, social, and other settings as symbolic violence on people with HIV. The present article shows that spirituality serves as a perceptual and action framework for people with HIV to generate reflexivity toward their HIV infection and related stigmatization and to further engage in agentic responses. More importantly, this article demonstrates how people with HIV draw on spirituality to support peers in reclaiming control over their lives and how they are perceived by society. The findings indicate that the local context, especially cultural and religious resources, should be considered when developing interventions to mitigate HIV-related stigmatization in Southeast Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Xu
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Tongyao Wang
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Wanjia He
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Chengshi Shiu
- School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Saiyud Moolphate
- Department of Public Health, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Chiangmai, Thailand
| | - Myo Aung
- Department Global Health Research, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Min Tun
- Myanmar Positive Group, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Khin Moe Myint
- Department of Family Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
| | - Khine Myint Oo
- Department of Family Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
| | - Rachel Arbing
- School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Weiti Chen
- School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Yuan GF, Qiao S, Li X, Shen Z, Zhou Y. How Does Anticipated HIV Stigma Affect Medication Adherence? A Longitudinal Path Analysis Model. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1684-1693. [PMID: 38340222 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04293-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Prior research has documented that anticipated HIV stigma may play an important predictive role in medication adherence among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, longitudinal data on the mechanisms underlying this linkage are scarce. The current study aimed to explore the longitudinal mediation association among anticipated HIV stigma, medication adherence support, HIV self-management, and medication adherence. A four-wave sample consisting of 1,098 Chinese PLWH (Mage = 38.63, SD = 9.20; 63.9% male) with a six-month interval was used in the current study. Participants were asked to complete self-report questionnaires. A path analysis model was analyzed. Results indicate that anticipated HIV stigma at baseline was positively related to medication adherence at Time 4 (T4). Medication adherence support at Time 2 (T2) and HIV self-management at Time 3 (T3) serially mediated the anticipated HIV stigma at Time 1 (T1) and medication adherence at T4. These findings provide critical insights into the mediating roles of medication adherence support and HIV self-management in the relationship between anticipated HIV stigma and medication adherence over time. Such an understanding has important implications for the development of tailored interventions and public health strategies aimed at improving medication adherence among PLWH in the context of HIV-related stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhe Frank Yuan
- School of Education Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
| | - Shan Qiao
- Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Zhiyong Shen
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuejiao Zhou
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Yuan GF, Zhang R, Qiao S, Li X, Shen Z, Zhou Y. Exploring the Longitudinal Influence of Perceived Social Support, HIV Stigma, and Future Orientation on Depressive Symptoms Among People Living with HIV in China. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1662-1672. [PMID: 38329557 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04292-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Prior studies demonstrated that perceived social support is negatively associated with behavioral and mental health problems among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, longitudinal data regarding the associations between perceived social support, internalized HIV stigma, future orientation, and depressive symptoms are limited. The current study aimed to investigate the possible indirect relationship between these variables using four-wave follow-up data (6-month intervals) from a sample of 1,098 Chinese PLWH (Mage = 38.63, SD = 9.20, age range: 18-60 years; 63.9% men). All participants were asked to complete an adapted version of Perceived Social Support Scale, Internalized HIV Stigma Scale, Optimism About the Future Scale, and Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated that perceived social support at baseline was negatively related to depressive symptoms at wave 4. Internalized HIV stigma at wave 2 and future orientation at wave 3 indirectly affected the linkage between perceived social support at baseline and depressive symptoms serially over time. This study highlights the essential role of perceived social support in alleviating depressive symptoms among PLWH, and underscores the complex interplay in which internalized HIV stigma and future orientation serially mediated the relationship between perceived social support and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest the need for integrated interventions to enhance social support, address HIV-related stigma, and promote positive future orientation, which could potentially alleviate depressive symptoms and promote mental well-being among PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhe Frank Yuan
- Department of Education Science, School of Education Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Ran Zhang
- Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Shan Qiao
- Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Zhiyong Shen
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, China
| | - Yuejiao Zhou
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, China
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Alckmin-Carvalho F, Pereira H, Nichiata L. "It's a Lot of Closets to Come Out of in This Life": Experiences of Brazilian Gay Men Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus at the Time of Diagnosis and Its Biopsychosocial Impacts. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2024; 14:1068-1085. [PMID: 38667825 PMCID: PMC11049621 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe14040070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We investigated the experiences of Brazilian gay men with HIV, focusing on the moment of diagnosis and its potential biopsychosocial impacts. This clinical-qualitative study involved 15 participants interviewed online and synchronously by a clinical psychologist in 2021. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Interpretations were grounded in Minority Stress Theory. Four thematic axes emerged, including "Diagnostic Revelation", "Social and Internalized Stigma", "Biopsychosocial Effects of Living with HIV", and "Gratitude for Treatment Advances and the Brazilian Health System". The diagnosis was often experienced as traumatic, exacerbated by the absence of empathy and emotional support from healthcare providers. Participants commonly reported guilt, fear upon learning of their HIV status, social isolation, loneliness, lack of social support, and damage to affective-sexual relationships. Many also noted a decline in mental health, even those without HIV-related medical complications. Despite over 40 years since the HIV epidemic began, the prevalence of homophobia and serophobia among gay men remains widespread, including within the multidisciplinary teams of specialized services. This indicates that the stigma associated with homosexuality and HIV persists, despite significant biomedical progress in the diagnosis and treatment of the infection, particularly in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henrique Pereira
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal;
- Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Lucia Nichiata
- School of Nursing, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01239-020, Brazil;
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