Abstract
Facing stigma on both HIV and sexuality by the larger society puts significant pressure and stress on the LGBTQ living with HIV to cope with their diagnosis. The promotion of coping strategies as an intervention to increase well-being among PLHIV needs to consider current findings to remain relevant. This systematic review took 17 articles from 2008 to 2018 to provide a comprehensive analysis of issues that influenced coping strategies and investigate the association of the chosen coping strategy with their mental health. The results indicated that the impact of double stigma amplifies the challenge faced by the LGBTQ community to deal with their HIV diagnosis and had a significant impact on their mental health wellbeing. Both positive and negative coping styles were present as coping strategies employed with positive coping being used more as a chosen strategy. Each presenting coping strategy was reviewed, with depression and anxiety becoming the baseline indicator to reflect mental health status. This systematic review also revealed that the positive coping strategy does not necessarily lead to a positive psychological state as it is dependent on the changeability of the stressor faced. The findings emphasized the complexities in untangling the influence of coping on wellbeing among PLHIV. More attention should be paid to the mechanisms of stressor appraisal in selecting a more suitable coping strategy.
Highlights
Facing stigma on both HIV and sexuality by the larger society puts significant pressure and stress on the LGBTQ living with HIV to cope with their diagnosis
The selected articles discussed the types of coping employed, issues revolving around the coping strategy used, and the association it has on the mental health of PLHIV within the LGBTQ population
Coping strategies employed by the LGBTQ people with HIV/AIDS
Summary
Facing stigma on both HIV and sexuality by the larger society puts significant pressure and stress on the LGBTQ living with HIV to cope with their diagnosis. The results indicated that the impact of double stigma amplifies the challenge faced by the LGBTQ community to deal with their HIV diagnosis and had a significant impact on their mental health wellbeing Both positive and negative coping styles were present as coping strategies employed with positive coping being used more as a chosen strategy. It has been reported that PLHIV are more prone to develop mental health issues such as anxiety, poor health-seeking behavior, depression, and poor treatment compliance They have a higher tendency to indulge in risky behaviors such as the use of drugs and alcohol and unprotected sex due to their inability to cope well with stimuli and stressors such as diagnosis acceptance, poor social support, and stigma (Flowers et al, 2011; Lowther et al, 2014). This systematic review aims to identify coping strategies employed, analyze issues faced that influence the choice of coping strategy, and investigate the association of the chosen coping strategy with their mental health
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