Abstract
Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) living with HIV/AIDS in the US are particularly vulnerable to HIV-related stigma largely due to ingrained socio-cultural norms that strongly associate HIV transmission with activities perceived to be immoral. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between five HIV-stigma factors and psychological distress among 54 HIV-seropositive APIs. Social Rejection, Negative Self-Worth, Perceived Interpersonal Insecurity, and Financial Security were all significantly associated with psychological distress. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that Social Rejection, Negative Self-Worth, and Perceived Interpersonal Insecurity significantly predicted psychological distress after control for physical symptoms and country of birth. Undocumented Asians endorsed higher levels of Social Rejection, Negative Self-Worth and Perceived Interpersonal Insecurity than documented APIs. Future studies examining mechanisms of psychological distress among HIV-seropositive APIs are needed.
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Kang, E., Rapkin, B.D., Remien, R.H. et al. Multiple Dimensions of HIV Stigma and Psychological Distress Among Asians and Pacific Islanders Living With HIV Illness. AIDS Behav 9, 145–154 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-005-3896-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-005-3896-9