Perceived discrimination, social support, and perceived stress among people living with HIV/AIDS in China

Abstract

Perceived stress among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) was associated with severe mental health problems and risk behaviors. Discrimination toward PLWH in China is prevalent. Both perceived discrimination and social supports are determinants of the stress level among PLWH. Psychological support services for PLWH in China are scarce. It is unknown whether social support is a buffer between the perceived discrimination and perceived stress. With written consent, this study surveyed 258 PLWH recruited from multiple sources in two cities in China. Instruments were validated in previous or the present study, including the perceived stress scale for PLWH (PSSHIV), the perceived social support scale (PSSS), and the perceived discrimination scale for PLWH (PDSHIV). Pearson correlations and multiple regression models were fit. PDSHIV was associated with the Overall Scale and all subscales of PSSHIV, whilst lower socioeconomic status in general and lower scores of PSSS were associated with various subscales of PSSHIV. The interaction item (PSSS×PSDHIV) was nonsignificant in modeling PSSHIV, hence no significant moderating effect was detected. Whilst perceived discrimination is a major source of stress and social support can reduce stress among PLWH in China, improved social support cannot buffer the stressful consequences due to perceived discrimination. The results highlight the importance to reduce discrimination toward PLWH and the difficulty to alleviate its negative consequences. It is warranted to improve mental health among PLWH in China and it is still important to foster social support among PLWH as it has direct effects on perceived stress.

Fatigue and Sleep Disturbance Related to Perceived Stress in Chinese HIVPositive Individuals: A Mixed Methods Study

“…The measures used have been previously tested in Chinese populations and have shown strong reliability and validity [7,50,51]. …”

Prevalence and associated factors of depression among people living with HIV in two cities in China

“…Depression among PLWH is largely influenced by the social environment. Perceived HIV-related social discrimination diminishes effectiveness of HIV prevention and care programs and quality of life among PLWH (Earnshaw and Quinn, 2012); it is associated with perceived stress, maladjustments and depression symptoms among PLWH (Pakenham and Rinaldis, 2002;Riggs et al, 2007;Su et al, 2009;Thompson et al, 1996;Wingood et al, 2007). Other studies have shown that perceived social support is significantly associated with effective adjustment to problems related to HIV/AIDS (Friedland et al, 1996;Leserman et al, 1999;Pakenham et al, 1994).…”

Diagnósticos de enfermagem no domínio enfrentamento e tolerância ao estresse em pacientes com AIDS [Nursing diagnoses in the coping and stress tolerance domain in patients with AIDS]

“…A manutenção da resiliência implica no enfrentamento de dificuldades e possibilita a superação de adversidades e situações potencialmente p.6 • Rev enferm UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, 2017; 25:e17040. [18][19][20][21] . E por fim, o DE risco de sentimento de impotên-cia esteve presente em 7(6,19%), apresentando como fatores de risco o conhecimento deficiente do paciente sobre a doença, e o fato desta ser uma doença estigmatizada.…”