Perceived stigma, internalized stigma, and mental health of young Chinese men who have sex with men living with HIV/Aids
Intersection and the importance of “undetectable = untransmittable” status
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9053673 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Zurong Liang (0000-0003-0428-8120, Zhejiang University), Yu-Te Huang (0000-0002-6861-8144, University of Hong Kong) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 501-515 |
| Publication date | 2025-06-05 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0002-9432 • E-ISSN: 1939-0025 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037/ort0000857 |
| PMID | 40471822 |
| OpenAlex | W4411062605 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
Stigma is closely linked to mental health issues among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV/AIDS. The "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U = U) concept has been instrumental in reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigma and improving treatment adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS. However, the effect of U = U status on internalized stigma related to both HIV/AIDS and homosexual identity remains unclear. This study explores how U = U status influences stigma internalization and mental health among young Chinese MSM living with HIV/AIDS, focusing on the intersectional stigma associated with HIV/AIDS status and sexual orientation. A purposeful sampling approach was used to recruit young Chinese MSM living with HIV/AIDS (n = 1,185). Structural equation model, stratified by U = U status, examined the relationships between perceived stigma, internalized stigma, and mental health in the two subgroups. Respondents without U = U reported higher internalized HIV/AIDS stigma and mental health issues but lower perceived homosexual stigma. For this group, perceived HIV/AIDS stigma contributed to the internalization of stigma, with only internalized HIV/AIDS stigma significantly affecting mental health. Among those with U = U, perceived homosexual stigma and internalized HIV/AIDS stigma both negatively impacted mental health. Perceived stigma related to both identities was significantly associated with internalized homosexual stigma. U = U status significantly shapes the identity experiences and mental health of young Chinese MSM with HIV/AIDS. Tailored interventions addressing both HIV/AIDS and MSM-related stigma are needed, with an intersectional approach to reduce stigma and foster supportive environments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
Developmental psychology · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Intersection (aeronautics) · Men who have sex with men · Mental health · Psychiatry · Social stigma · Stigma (botany) · Syphilis · Young adult · Clinical Psychology · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |