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A Comparison of MSM Stigma, HIV Stigma and Depression in HIV-Positive Latino and African American Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)

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Abstract

Little research has examined differences in HIV stigma versus MSM stigma and the role of these stigmas in depression for HIV-positive Latino and African American men who have sex with men (MSM), subgroups disproportionately impacted by HIV in the US. MSM stigma, HIV stigma, depression, stress and social support were examined among HIV-positive Latino (n = 100) and African American (n = 99) MSM patients at five HIV clinics in Los Angeles County, California. In multiple regression models, Latino MSM had higher HIV stigma scores (p = 0.002) but lower MSM stigma scores (p < 0.001) compared to African American MSM. General support and stress were associated with HIV stigma (p < 0.001), but not MSM stigma. Both HIV stigma (p < 0.0001) and MSM stigma (p < 0.0001) were associated with depression. These data underscore the differences in experienced stigma for Latino and African American MSM and can be used to shape effective stigma reduction programs and behavioral counseling.

Resumen

Pocos estudios han examinado las diferencias en el estigma del VIH en comparación con el estigma de hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) y el papel de estos estigmas en la depresión de hombres Latinos y Afro-Americanos, subgrupos desproporcionadamente afectados por el VIH en los EE.UU. El estigma de HSH, el estigma del VIH, la depresión, el estrés y apoyo social fueron examinados entre hombres Latinos (n = 100) y Afro-Americanos (n = 99) VIH positivos, quienes eran pacientes (HSH) en cinco clínicas de VIH en el Condado de Los Angeles en California. En los modelos de regresión múltiple, HSH Latinos tuvieron una mayor puntuación del estigma de VIH (p = 0.002) pero menor puntuación del estigma HSH (p < 0.001) en comparación con los Afro-Americanos HSH. El apoyo general y el estrés se asociaron con el estigma del VIH (p < 0.001), pero no con el estigma HSH. El estigma del VIH (p < 0.0001) y el estigma HSH (p < 0.0001) se asociaron con la depresión. Estos datos ponen de relieve las diferencias en el estigma experimentado por latinos y Afro-americanos HSH y se puede utilizar para dar forma a programas eficaces de reducción del estigma y la consejería de comportamiento.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the clinic staff, study participants, Rhodri Dierst-Davies, Saloniki James and the project interviewers, Alexander Carruth and Christian Chavez. This research was supported by the California HIV/AIDS Research Program Grant CH05-LAC-617 and CH05-Drew-616.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of HIV and STD Programs, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 600 S. Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1920, Los Angeles, CA, 90005, USA

    Amy Rock Wohl, Juli-Ann Carlos & Wendy Garland

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Amy Rock Wohl

  3. Bienestar Human Services, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Frank H. Galvan

  4. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Hector F. Myers

  5. Division of HIV Medicine, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Mallory D. Witt

  6. Rand Schrader HIV Clinic, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Joseph Cadden

  7. Maternal Child and Adolescent Clinic, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Eva Operskalski

  8. OASIS Clinic, Los Angeles County MLK-MACC, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Wilbert Jordan

  9. Biomedical Research Center, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Sheba George

  10. Institute for Community Health Research, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Frank H. Galvan

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  1. Amy Rock Wohl
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Correspondence to Amy Rock Wohl.

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Wohl, A.R., Galvan, F.H., Carlos, JA. et al. A Comparison of MSM Stigma, HIV Stigma and Depression in HIV-Positive Latino and African American Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). AIDS Behav 17, 1454–1464 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0385-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0385-9

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