HIV-related microaggressions and depressive symptoms among people living with HIV: the mediating roles of internalised stigma and coping with shame.

Autor:	Taşlıoğlu Sayıner AC; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey., Turan B; Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey bturan@ku.edu.tr., Nazlı A; Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey., Özer D; Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey., Abdollahpour Ranjbar H; Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey., Nemli SA; Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey., Ghaffari AN; Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey., Mert Vahabi M; Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey., Ayhan NM; Department of Infectious Diseases, Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey., Gokengin D; Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey., Norcini Pala A; Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Sexually transmitted infections [Sex Transm Infect] 2025 Feb 12. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Feb 12.
DOI:	10.1136/sextrans-2024-056354
Abstrakt:	Objectives: Overtly experienced HIV-related stigma is associated with depressive symptoms for people living with HIV (PLWH). Research suggests that an important mediating mechanism in this association is internalised stigma, where PLWH accept negative societal views about HIV, apply them to themselves and develop a negative view of themselves. Microaggressions are subtle and indirect discriminatory behaviours and, like overtly experienced stigma, may also contribute to depressive symptoms. We tested this hypothesis and examined the mediating roles of internalised stigma and maladaptive ways of coping with shame in the association between microaggressions and depressive symptoms among PLWH in Türkiye. Methods: This study examines the serial mediating roles of internalised HIV stigma and shame-related coping strategies (ie, withdrawal and self-attack) in the association between HIV-related microaggressions and depressive symptoms among PLWH. PLWH in Izmir, Türkiye (N=308) completed validated scales measuring experiences of microaggressions, internalised HIV stigma, coping strategies related to shame and depression symptoms. Results: Structural equation modelling results suggest that internalised HIV stigma significantly mediates the relationship between HIV-related microaggressions and depression symptoms. Furthermore, serial mediation analysis suggests that withdrawal and self-attack strategies of coping with shame mediate the association between internalised HIV stigma and depressive symptoms. Thus, internalised HIV stigma and shame-related coping strategies may partially stem from experiencing HIV-related microaggressions and may negatively affect the mental health of PLWH. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of assessing subtle forms of discrimination (ie, microaggressions) given their negative impact on the self-concept of PLWH. In addition to addressing negative attitudes and behaviours against PLWH in society, interventions that help PLWH cope with shame-related experiences might improve their mental health. Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared. (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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