mechanisms for the negative effects of internalized hiv related stigma on antiretroviral therapy adherence in women the mediating roles of social isolation and depression

• DOI: 10.17615/wxcw-hr69
• Publication Date: 2016-06-01
• Authors: Eryka L. Wentz; Adaora A. Adimora; Lisa R. Metsch; Phyllis C. Tien; Daniel Merenstein; Antonina Foster; Tracey E. Wilson; Sheri D. Weiser; Mardge H. Cohen; Bulent Turan; Janet M. Turan; Adebola Adedimeji; Whitney Smith
• Keywords: Anti-HIV Agents; Depression; Social Stigma; Epidemiology and Prevention; Social Support; HIV Infections; Middle Aged; United States; Medication Adherence; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Discrimination, Psychological; 0302 clinical medicine; Social Isolation; 5. Gender equality; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Female; 10. No inequality

Internalization of HIV-related stigma may inhibit a person's ability to manage HIV disease through adherence to treatment regimens. Studies, mainly with white men, have suggested an association between internalized stigma and suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, there is a scarcity of research with women of different racial/ethnic backgrounds and on mediating mechanisms in the association between internalized stigma and ART adherence.