HIV-Related Stress Experienced by Newly Diagnosed People Living with HIV in China

A 1-Year Longitudinal Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15500708
AuthorsYunxiang Huang (0000-0001-6231-5639, Central South University), Dan Luo (0000-0002-0811-2854, Central South University, corresponding author), Xi Chen (0000-0002-2058-0351, Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Dexing Zhang (0000-0003-0073-4752, Chinese University of Hong Kong), Zhulin Huang (Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Shirui Xiao (0000-0002-7770-3797, Central South University), Shuiyuan Xiao (0000-0002-2046-5564, Central South University)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue8
Pages2681-2681
Publication date2020-04-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17082681
PMID32295107
OpenAlexW3016860360
LanguageEN
Citations received15
References cited55

This study explored the HIV-related stressors that people living with HIV (PLWH) commonly experience and express as stressful at the time of diagnosis and 1 year later. The factors associated with stress levels and whether social support would moderate the negative effects of stress on psychological health (depressive and anxiety symptoms) were also investigated. Newly diagnosed PLWH were consecutively recruited in this study. Participants rated their stress with the HIV/AIDS Stress Scale at baseline and 1 year later. Social support, depression, and anxiety were also self-reported at both time points. There were significant decreases in stress levels 1 year after diagnosis. Stressors regarding confidentiality, disclosure, emotional distress, fear of infecting others, and excessive attention to physical functions were the most problematic at baseline and 1-year follow-up. A younger age, married status, not living alone, less income, presence of HIV symptoms, and lack of social support were associated with higher levels of stress. No stress-buffering effect of social support on depressive and anxiety symptoms was found in this study. Interventions to reduce stress among PLWH should take into consideration the following priority stressors: confidentiality, discrimination/stigma, serostatus disclosure, distressing emotions, fear of infecting others, and excessive attention to physical functions. More attention should be paid to PLWH with younger age, not living alone, less income, presence of HIV symptoms, and lack of social support

Anxiety · Distress · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Longitudinal study · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Serostatus · Social support · Stressor · Viral load · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology