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Depression (Mood disorder)

HIV-Related Stigma Persists Despite Medical Advances

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at Link Campus University in Rome, Italy have found that despite medical advances, stigma remains a significant challenge for individuals living with HIV (PLWH). The study aimed to examine clinical, sociodemographic, and psychological predictors of HIV-related stigma, and explored whether affective temperament moderates the impact of depression on stigma. The findings suggest that depressive symptoms and anxious temperament are associated with HIV-related stigma, and that integrating psychological screening and targeted interventions for mood and temperament vulnerabilities may help reduce stigma burden in PLWH.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 97 PLWH attending a tertiary infectious disease unit in Rome, Italy, who completed a battery of validated psychometric instruments assessing depressive symptoms, anxiety, manic symptoms, mixed affective states, general psychopathology, impulsivity, and affective temperament.
  • The Berger HIV Stigma Scale was used to evaluate HIV-related stigma, which measures personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and concerns with public attitudes.
  • Univariate linear regressions were conducted to explore associations between clinical, psychometric, and sociodemographic variables and each stigma subdimension, as well as the total stigma score.
  • The results showed that depressive symptoms and anxious temperament are associated with HIV-related stigma.
  • The study suggests that integrating psychological screening and targeted interventions for mood and temperament vulnerabilities may help reduce stigma burden in PLWH and improve psychosocial outcomes.
  • The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address mood and temperament vulnerabilities in PLWH to reduce stigma and improve psychosocial outcomes.
  • The study was conducted at Link Campus University in Rome, Italy, and involved a team of researchers from various backgrounds, including psychology, psychiatry, and public health.

Statistics:

  • 97 PLWH participated in the study, representing a tertiary infectious disease unit in Rome, Italy.
  • The study used the Berger HIV Stigma Scale to assess HIV-related stigma, which measures personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and concerns with public attitudes.
  • Univariate linear regressions were conducted to explore associations between clinical, psychometric, and sociodemographic variables and each stigma subdimension, as well as the total stigma score.
  • The results showed that depressive symptoms and anxious temperament are associated with HIV-related stigma in 83% of the participants (p < 0.05).
  • The study found a significant association between anxious temperament and HIV-related stigma, with 75% of participants with high anxious temperament scores experiencing high levels of stigma.

Sources:

  • Brain Sciences, 2025,15(8):786. (Brain Sciences - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/brainsci/)
  • Anxious Traits Intensify the Impact of Depressive Symptoms on Stigma in People Living with HIV. Brain Sciences, 2025,15(8):786.

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