Open AccessNavigating Stigma Trajectory and Mental Health Among Young Adults Living with Perinatal HIV in New York City
Author(s) -
Ezer Kang,
Claude A. Mellins,
Woojae Kim,
Curtis Dolezal,
Christine Kindler,
Cheng-Shiun Leu,
Elaine J. Abrams
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
aids and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1573-3254
pISSN - 1090-7165
DOI - 10.1007/s10461-021-03166-3
Subject(s) - health psychology , stigma (botany) , public health , mental health , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , psychology , psychiatry , medicine , gerontology , clinical psychology , family medicine , nursing
Perceived HIV stigma and mental health are fluid across the lifespan for people living with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV). The process of navigating discredited identities over time in the context of other life demands potentially exerts a toll on the mental health of adolescents and young adults living with PHIV (AYAPHIV). Based on data from a longitudinal study in New York City examining mental health and health risk behaviors among 182 AYAPHIV, we examined if increased perceived HIV stigma predicted mental health, future orientation, HIV-disclosure, and healthcare transition over time (2003-2018). Findings from linear mixed-effects modeling indicated that older age predicted poorer mental health, less future orientation, more HIV-serostatus disclosure, and adult medical services utilization. Perceived stigma was the only significant predictor of mental health and mediated the association between age and mental health-highlighting the importance of addressing stigma across development for AYAPHIV while addressing systems that perpetuate them.