The Impact of Stigma and Social Support on Development of Post-traumatic Growth Among Persons Living with HIV

Abstract

Given high rates of trauma in people living with HIV (PLH) and the health benefits of posttraumatic growth (PTG), understanding how to foster PTG in PLH exposed to trauma could be of interest to clinical psychologists working with this population. The current study examined factors theoretically related to development of PTG in PLH, namely HIV-related stigma, disclosure of HIV status, and emotional support. A sample of 334 HIV-positive adults answered a battery of self-report questionnaires. HIV-related stigma, disclosure to sexual partners, and emotional support were significant predictors of PTG: stigma was associated with lower PTG, whereas disclosure and emotional support were associated with higher PTG. Disclosure and emotional support remained significantly associated with PTG in the model including demographic factors and stigma. These findings highlight the need for development of interventions that can aid PLH in disclosing their HIV status to sexual partners and increasing available social support.

A qualitative study on individual experiences of chronic hepatitis B patients

“…However, despite all the difficulties recognized by the patients, some exhibited post-traumatic growth. Similarly, results of a study on HIV-positive people showed that patients who disclosed their disease to their partners and were supported spiritually exhibited higher post-traumatic growth (Kamen et al, 2015). Another study on the experiences of HIV patients in Saudi Arabia showed that most of the participants were more religious and frequently used spirituality as a means of coping (Omer, Lovering, & Al Shomrani, 2014…”

Global estimate of the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among adults living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Turan et al 80 found that the level of perceived HIV-related stigma in the community experienced by PLWH may cause adverse health and psychosocial outcomes. Social isolation and stigma might exacerbate symptoms of PTSD 81. In high-income countries, PLWH may experience ‘compound’ or ‘layered’ stigma, where stigmatising beliefs are associated with HIV infection and related to sexual orientation, commercial sexual behaviours, etc 82.…”

Assessing Stigma, Disclosure Regret and Posttraumatic Growth in People Living with HIV

“…Posttraumatic growth has also been found to be experienced by PLWH and research shows this has a positive effect on health outcomes. However, there is a paucity of research looking at posttraumatic growth, perceived stigma and disclosure regret together, meaning that a full understanding of the relationship is not clear [ 1 , 2 ]. This study sought to determine whether posttraumatic growth continues to have a positive effect on adjustment once perceived stigma and disclosure regret are accounted for.…”

“…Knowledge of the effects of posttraumatic growth is expanding, however, the relationship between perceived stigma, disclosure regret and posttraumatic growth is still developing. This research has shown a negative association of perceived stigma with posttraumatic growth [ 1 , 2 , 34 ]. Some studies also looked at the relation of disclosure and posttraumatic growth and found a positive relation, however, disclosure regret was not measured [ 2 ].…”

“…This research has shown a negative association of perceived stigma with posttraumatic growth [ 1 , 2 , 34 ]. Some studies also looked at the relation of disclosure and posttraumatic growth and found a positive relation, however, disclosure regret was not measured [ 2 ]. As posttraumatic growth is proposed to occur best within a supportive environment, growth in stigmatizing conditions and where regret is experienced may be impeded.…”