Coping with HIV Related Stigma and Well-Being

Pilar Sanjuán (), Fernando Molero, María Fuster and Encarnación Nouvilas

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2013, vol. 14, issue 2, 709-722

Abstract: The goal of this study was to analyze the relationships to be found among stigma perception, active and avoidant coping strategies, and subjective and psychological well-being in a sample of 133 people with HIV. The results showed that stigma perception and avoidant coping strategies (venting, self-blame, denial, behavioural disengagement and substance use) were positively associated, whereas, both stigma perception and avoidant coping were negatively associated with different measures of well-being (affect balance, self-acceptance and environmental mastery). These negative relationships between stigma perception and the three well-being measures were mediated by the use of avoidant coping strategies. Results suggest that psychosocial intervention programs for people who report psychological distress arising from prejudice must be aimed at developing appropriate ways to deal with this prejudice. Intervention programs should also include strategies to directly increase well-being since from a positive psychology viewpoint certain interventions have been shown to do so, and HIV research has also shown that well-being is associated with lower mortality rates. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Keywords: Stigma perception; Subjective well-being; Psychological well-being; Active coping; Avoidant coping; Affect balance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-012-9350-6

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