Bridging internalized HIV stigma and depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: a network analysis.

ABSTRACT: Previous research has documented that HIV-related stigma may be a significant trigger of mental health problems among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, less is known about how internalized HIV stigma is linked to depressive symptoms among PLWH during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study sought to explore the network structure of internalized HIV stigma and depressive symptoms, along with bridge nodes, to elucidate how they co-exist. Participants were 1,197 Chinese PLWH (64.3% male, M_age = 41.52, SD = 9.20) who completed the measurements of internalized HIV stigma and depressive symptoms during the early phase of the COVID-19 outbreak (May 2020). Results revealed that "ashamed of having HIV" was identified as the most central nodes in the internalized HIV stigma

SUBMITTER: Yuan GF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10796684 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature