Depression and anxiety among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and men who have sex with women in China

• Published in: AIDS care Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 362 - 369
• Main Authors: Aunon, Frances M., Simoni, Jane M., Yang, Joyce P., Shiu, Chengshi, Chen, Wei-Ti, Edmunds, Sarah R., Ramaiya, Megan, Cheng, Joy, Zhao, Hongxing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 03.03.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; AIDS/HIV; Anxiety; Anxiety - ethnology; Anxiety - psychology; Behavior problems; Child; China; China - epidemiology; Coping; Coping strategies; Cross-Sectional Studies; depression; Depression - ethnology; Depression - psychology; Epidemics; Female; Gays & lesbians; Health; Health status; Heterosexuality - ethnology; Heterosexuality - psychology; HIV; HIV Infections - ethnology; Homosexuality, Male - ethnology; Homosexuality, Male - psychology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Marginality; Men; Men who have sex with men; Mens health; Mental depression; Mental health; MSM; Psychological distress; Quality of Life; Secondary schools; Sex; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexual Behavior; Sexually transmitted diseases; STD; Symptomology; Women; China; anxiety; depression; HIV; China; MSM; coping
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1683803

China is experiencing an emerging HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). Minority stress theory posits that marginalized populations experience additional stress, which influences experiences of psychological distress and health outcomes. This study aimed to understand psychological distress of MSM relative to men who have sex with women (MSW) in an urban Chinese setting. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 162 HIV-positive Chinese men receiving HIV treatment at Beijing's Ditan Hospital. Multiple linear regression with imputation was used to identify correlates of psychological distress. Relative to MSW, MSM were younger, more educated, and less likely to be in a relationship or have children. While both groups reported clinically elevated levels of depression and anxiety, sexual behavior was not associated with either outcome. Higher endorsement of depression symptomology was associated with worse reported physical health (β = −1.37, p < .05) and greater endorsement of maladaptive coping (β = 2.39, p < .05), whereas higher endorsement of anxiety symptomology was associated with greater endorsement of adaptive coping (β = 0.78, p < .05), diminished physical health (β = −0.86, p < .05), and a high school or greater level of education (β = 4.13, p < .05). These findings suggest that interventions targeting coping strategies may address psychological distress among HIV-positive Chinese men.