HIV-related stigma and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in HIV-infected individuals

Does social support play a mediating or moderating role

Bibliographic Data

ID19443370
AuthorsElsie Breet (0000-0002-6974-8215, Stellenbosch University, corresponding author), Ashraf Kagee (0000-0003-1241-2566, Stellenbosch University), Soraya Seedat (0000-0002-5118-786X, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa)
Year2014
Volume26
Issue8
Pages947-951
Publication date2014-08-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2014.901486
PMID24666226
OpenAlexW2041645219
LanguageEN
Citations received37
References cited25

HIV stigma plays a major role in the etiology of psychological distress among persons living with HIV, but may be ameliorated by social support. This cross-sectional study examined whether social support mediates or moderates the relationship between HIV stigma and psychological symptoms. We recruited a convenience sample of 210 individuals living with HIV in three peri-urban communities in the Western Cape, South Africa. People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) completed self-report questionnaires that assessed HIV-related stigma, social support, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Product-term regression analyses showed that social support played a mediating role in the relationship between HIV-related stigma and symptoms of PTSD (not depression). Social support did not, however, moderate the relationship between HIV-related stigma and PTSD or depression. The results indicate that perceived HIV-related stigma may decrease PLWHA's perceived level of social support, which in turn may increase PTSD symptoms. Moreover, these findings suggest that despite the protective role of social support, there are other factors that affect the relationship between HIV-related stigma and mental health that hinder the buffering role of social support in this relationship. These findings may have implications for designing and implementing interventions that increase perceived social support and decrease perceived HIV-related stigma, which in turn may decrease symptoms of PTSD among PLWHA

Distress · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Social stigma · Social support · Traumatic stress · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Immunology