Unpacking the Influence of Sexual Stigma on HIV Risk: Results From a Prospective Study of Men Who Have Sex With Men in Beijing, China.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We examined the mediating roles of coping, depression, anxiety, and encountering difficult sexual situations in explaining the association between stigma against men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV risk.

Methods

We conducted path analyses using longitudinal data collected from 493 Chinese MSM in Beijing at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months from 2011 to 2013.

Results

MSM stigma, specifically anticipations of stigma, had a marginally significant, protective total effect on unprotected anal intercourse at 12 months. This overall association, however, was the byproduct of 5 significant, indirect associations (3 risk enhancing, 2 protective) that routed through coping, anxiety, and difficult sexual situations. Of note, heavier use of avoidant coping principal

SUBMITTER: Choi KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5233551 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature