The impact of syndemic burden, age, and sexual minority status on internalized HIV stigma among people living with HIV in South Florida

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-13-2024

Journal

Journal of health psychology

DOI

10.1177/13591053241249633

Keywords

HIV/AIDS; health inequities; social determinants of health; stigma; syndemics

Abstract

Internalized HIV stigma has been associated with several poor mental and physical health outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH); yet, little research has explored how internalized HIV stigma may be affected by syndemic burden. This study sought to examine the relationship between syndemic conditions and HIV stigma over and above the potential effects of two social determinants of health, age and sexual minority status, using a linear regression approach ( = 1343). Syndemic burden was significantly positively associated with internalized HIV stigma above and beyond the effects of age and sexual minority status ( = 0.23). Additionally, age ( = -0.02) and being a sexually minority ( = -0.31) were significantly negatively associated with internalized HIV stigma. Findings should inform future treatment targets for this population by specifically working to reduce internalized HIV stigma for people with a greater syndemic burden and, potentially, among young adults and heterosexual PLWH.

Department

Public Health Student Works

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS