The Interplay Between HIV-Related Stigma, Community Connectedness, and Potential Depressive Disorder among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-negative and HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) (N = 3153). The aim of this study was to explore the impact of HIV-status on potential depressive disorder (PDD) and gain understanding on the complexity of this relation, by taking into account the influence of HIV-related stigma and community connectedness among HIV-positive MSM (N = 309). Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire from the “Survey Men and Sexuality”, conducted in 2018. The data was analyzed using both a simple and multiple logistic regression. Results: The study did not find support for the relation between HIV-status and PDD; likelihood of PDD did not differ between HIV-negative and HIV-positive MSM. HIV-related stigma was not found to predict PDD among HIV-positive MSM. Additionally, community connectedness did not act as a moderator in the relationship between HIV-related stigma and PDD among HIV-positive MSM. Discussion: The contradictory findings of this study highlight the potential impacts of cultural and temporal contexts, and possibly effective antiretroviral therapies treating HIV, on mental health outcomes. Despite certain limitations, the study underscores the need for ongoing research, stigma reduction efforts, and tailored mental health interventions within this population.