Navigating sexuality in the stigmatized context of HIV /AIDS: A study of HIV -positive men and women in New York City
Item
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Title
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Navigating sexuality in the stigmatized context of HIV /AIDS: A study of HIV -positive men and women in New York City
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:e3afd1567904:10385
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identifier
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10514
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Creator
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Tomassilli, Julia C.,
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Contributor
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Sarit A. Golub
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Date
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2010
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Social psychology | Gender studies | HIV | mediation | mental health | sexuality | stigma
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Abstract
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The current research attempts to understand of the relationship between HIV stigma and sexuality for HIV-positive people. In order to examine this relationship, I used the Comprehensive Process Model of Concealable Stigma (Pachankis, 2007) to conceptually guide analyses. Further, this research examined the role of sexuality in the relationship between HIV stigma and psychological well-being. This study is a secondary data analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data of 60 HIV-positive, sexually active individuals living in the New York City area. Participants were stratified by gender and sexual orientation resulting in a sample of 20 heterosexual men, 20 men who have sex with men (MSM), and 20 women (regardless of sexual orientation).;Internalized HIV stigma (i.e., HIV stigma which emanates from the HIV-positive individual) had the strongest negative impact on psychological, but not behavioral, aspects of sexuality. These aspects of psychosexual well-being (e.g., rumination about HIV during sexual behavior, sexual esteem) were found to mediate the relationship between internalized HIV stigma and psychological well-being. In other words, internalized stigma affected HIV-positive individuals' thoughts and feelings about their own sexuality, and these thoughts and feelings acted in turn to negatively impact depression, perceived stress, and life-satisfaction. Psychosexual well-being mediated the relationship between HIV stigma and psychological well-being for all gender/sexual orientation groups. However, the particular psychological aspects of sexuality which compose the mediating mechanism may be different for heterosexual men, MSM, and women.;The findings of this study illustrate the important role of internalized HIV stigma in HIV-positive people's thoughts and feelings about their sexual selves, and how these psychological aspects of sexuality impact the relationship between HIV stigma and general well-being. Such findings have important practical implications for both researchers and mental health practitioners invested in the mental health of HIV-positive individuals.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
