Abstract
AIDS is a global pandemic, and persons with HIV/AIDS are stigmatized throughout the world in varying degrees. The current study is a pilot study for a further in-depth study to understand the psychological implications of living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The study employed a quantitative approach with an aim to find out the level and prevalence of Internalized HIV Stigma (IHS) and to examine the mental health, coping strategies and perceived social support in a sample of 31 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Two-way classification of “Gender” (male and female) and three-way classification of “Level of IHS” (High IHS, Moderate IHS and Low IHS) on the dependent variables was employed, to elucidate the relationships between Internalized Stigma, Mental Health, Coping and perceived social support. The overall analysis revealed moderate levels of IHS (64.5%), depression (35.5%), and perceived social support (54.8%), and low level of anxiety (54.8%). It was also seen that majority (54.84%) employed emotion-oriented coping strategy. No significant gender differences were found in IHS. However, significant gender differences were found in levels of depression (p < 0.05) and Emotion-oriented coping (p < 0.05). Further analysis revealed that the two subscales of the IHS measure i.e. Stereotypes of HIV and Social Relationships stigma were significantly and positively correlated with anxiety (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively).
Highlights
Ever since the first cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) were detected in the United States in 1981, people with AIDS have been the targets of stigma
No significant differences in Internalized HIV Stigma (IHS) have been found on the basis of any of the socio-demographic variables; Social Relationships Stigma has been found to differ according to the Current Health Status of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
This study has not established any significant correlation between Overall IHS, Depression, Anxiety, Coping and Perceived Social Support
Summary
Ever since the first cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) were detected in the United States in 1981, people with AIDS have been the targets of stigma. HIV/AIDS has an impact on all aspects of human life and PLWHA face tremendous psychosocial challenges, with regards to mental health, coping and social support issues. Research findings showed that internalized HIV stigma (IHS) contributed significantly to levels of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness after controlling for the effects of key behavioral and psychosocial variables (Lee, Kochman, & Sikkema, 2002). The overall consideration would help satisfy to achieve the theoretical and methodological considerations but would provide foundations for behavioral intervention programs and further extended studies For this purpose, the present study was designed with the following objectives: 1) To find out the level of Internalized HIV Stigma (IHS) in the population under study. The present study was designed with the following objectives: 1) To find out the level of Internalized HIV Stigma (IHS) in the population under study. 2) To highlight the socio-demographic characteristics. 3) To examine the mental health status, coping strategies and to assess the perceived social support of PLWHA. 4) To elucidate the relationship between IHS, Mental Health, Coping strategies and Perceived Social Support among PLWHA
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