HIV-stigma, self-compassion, and psychological well-being among gay men living with HIV.

Abstract

Gay men living with HIV (MLWH) are often adversely affected by stigma related to both their serostatus and their sexual orientation, and the experience of living with HIV appears to increase feelings of internalized homophobia (IH). Little research attention has focused, however, on factors that may buffer the impact of HIV-stigma and IH on well-being among men living with HIV. Self-compassion, which consists of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, has been associated with resilience against the negative effects of stigma on well-being. We hypothesized that HIV-stigma would be indirectly related to poorer psychological well-being through increased levels of IH. Moreover, we expected that self-compassion would attenuate the negative effects of HIV-stigma on well-being through IH. Our sample consisted of 90 ethnically diverse gay MLWH. Participants completed an online questionnaire that assessed levels of HIV-stigma, IH, self-compassion, depression, anxiety, and positive and negative affect. After controlling for a variety of sociodemographic, health, and social characteristics, results revealed that more HIV-stigma was indirectly related to more depressive symptoms and anxiety through higher IH. Moreover, self-compassion emerged as a moderator of the indirect association of HIV-stigma on higher negative affect through higher IH, such that this indirect effect was significant for those with low self-compassion, but not for those with high self-compassion. Compassion-focused practices should be explored as a means of increasing resilience among gay MLWH.

Compassion-Focused Therapy (Cft) As An Intervention Against Suicidal Ideation In Newly Diagnosed People Living With Hiv/Aids (Plwha) Attending A Nigerian Maternity Teaching Hospital

“…It was also found that resilience and acceptance of HIV-positive status were enhanced after the exposure to CFT. In a different study, Skinta, Williams and Fekete (2019) determined that compassion-focused practices were significant in reducing HIV stigma and negative affect in PLWHA. Brion, participants' age differences as being a major confounding factor (Kamangar, 2012;Mousa, 2014).…”

Psychosocial Challenges and Protective Factors Among MSM Living with HIV: An Integrative Review of the Literature Using an Intersectional Framework

“…A similar study ran moderated-mediations in a sample of HIV-positive diverse MSM. It was found that lower self-compassion moderated the indirect association between HIV-stigma and negative affect, through IH (Skinta et al, 2019). Specifically, the interactions between low self-compassion, HIV-stigma and IH were associated with greater negative affect; however, this was not the case for individuals reporting average or greater self-compassion.…”

HIV/AIDS‐related stigma, immediate families, and proactive coping processes among a clinical sample of people living with HIV/AIDS in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“…HIV‐related stigma manifests at the individual (e.g., perceived, anticipated, and internalized) and interpersonal (e.g., enacted stigma) levels, and have produced stigma‐perpetuating policies (e.g., HIV criminalization; military and immigration bans) at state and national levels. Experiences of HIV‐related stigma across these levels have been associated with psychological distress, decreased social support, and poor HIV care continuum outcomes (Courtenay‐Quirk, Wolitski, Parsons, Gómez, & the Seropositive Urban Men's Study Team, ; Earnshaw, Smith, Chaudoir, Amico, & Copenhaver, ; Golub & Gamarel, ; Katz et al, ; C. Logie & Gadalla, ; Mahajan et al, ; Phillips et al, ; Quinn et al, ; Skinta, Fekete, & Williams, ).…”

“…Experiences of HIV-related stigma across these levels have been associated with psychological distress, decreased social support, and poor HIV care continuum outcomes (Courtenay-Quirk, Wolitski, Parsons, Gómez, & the Seropositive Urban Men's Study Team, 2006;Earnshaw, Smith, Chaudoir, Amico, & Copenhaver, 2013;Golub & Gamarel, 2013;Katz et al, 2013;C. Logie & Gadalla, 2009;Mahajan et al, 2008;Phillips et al, 2011;Quinn et al, 2014;Skinta, Fekete, & Williams, 2018).…”